Koalas

__Koalas __ __Introduction __  Koalas are marsupials, just like kangaroos. They have pouches that they hold babies in. but did you know all the facts behind koalas? __What koalas eat __ Koalas eat things such as eucalyptus leaves, mistletoe, and box leaves. Koalas drink 50% of their water from eucalyptus because it contains it. When koalas live in different places, they eat different choices of food. Each koala eats an amazing 200 to 500 grams of leaves per day! Koalas never eat meat. They sleep to restore energy instead. Koalas can stay very healthy because of their choice of food. __Where koalas live __ Koalas live mostly in eastern Australia. They sleep and live in eucalyptus trees, because of the hot and dry weather. Female Koalas can live up to 17 years, while males can only live up to about 10 years. This is because of fights, dogs, and cars. Females are rarely included in these dangerous activities. If koalas live in local zoos or wildlife preserves, they will live a happy life! __History behind koalas __ We find these petrified bones today. Koalas are very important to aboriginal culture and are featured in many myths and legends. The name koala comes from the aboriginal word “no drink.” Some of the nicknames the koala has developed overtime are koala bear, bangaroo, and new Holland sloth. __Babies __ Koala babies are called cubs or joeys. Koalas usually have babies at the age of 3 or 4. When baby koalas are born, they look like small, blind worms. The mother has a pouch to carry the baby for 35 days. When the koala is born, it stays in the mothers pouch for 6 months, feeding on the digested eucalyptus. After the 6 months are up, the baby climbs out on top of the mothers back. It only goes into the pouch to feed. When the baby is only 18 months, it leaves their parents. The father doesn’t have a role in helping the baby grow up. Females can only have one Baby at a time. __Predators __ some of the koalas biggest predators are dingoes, owls, lizards, and mostly humans. Another predator to the koala is a car. They can get run over very easily and roads are very dangerous for koalas. Another thing that can kill koalas is their precious homes getting cut down for human needs. Sometimes instead of jumping from tree to tree, they walk and that’s a trap for koalas. Their predators will have an easier target for catching them. __Fun facts __ -koalas sleep over 18 hours a day <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-koalas are nocturnal animals <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-since koalas eat so much eucalyptus, they smell like it! <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-they scientific name for koala is phasactos cinereus <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-koalas are warm-blooded <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-there is only one species of koala <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-koalas almost never go to the ground <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">-koalas mate in the spring and summer __<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">Conclusion __ <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">And so now you know all the interesting facts about koalas. These marsupials are perfect examples of calm, caring, adorable creatures! <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">To learn more about koalas, visit these websites! <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/cook/7thgrade/koalareport.htm <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/koalas.htm <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Castellar','serif';">