What are some adaptations of the koala?

What are physical adaptations of the Koala?

• Answer:

  The koala is a unique animal, a marsupial and not a bear, which occupies a unique eucalypt-eating niche in the Australian bush. It is the only animal capable of digesting eucalyptus leaves, obtaining all of its nutritional and water needs from the leaves. Its liver is specially designed to digest this plant matter which is almost indigestible to any other creature. Baby koalas, called joeys, drink mother's milk during their first 6-7 months of life. After 30 weeks, the mother produces a substance called pap. This substance is actually a specialised form of the mother's droppings which, having passed through her digestive system, give the joey the enzymes it needs to be able to start digesting the tough gum leaves, making an easier transition for the baby koala to start eating eucalyptus leaves. The female koala has a backward-facing pouch so that the koala joey can put its head out and get the pap directly. The koala is one of very few mammals (and marsupials) with digits on its hands which act as opposable thumbs, enabling it to live most of its life in gum trees. Koalas have very strong claws suitable for gripping trees and climbing. Between their first and second "fingers" is a large gap, which enables them to also grip tree branches comfortably, whilst their hind legs have one toe set at a wide angle. They also have toes with thick pads which enable them to sit comfortably in a tree all day. It has a specially padded backside which also makes living in tree branches more comfortable. Koalas in southern regions have thick, wool-like waterproof fur to keep them warm in cold weather and dry in rain. Koalas in northern regions are smaller, with less dense fur.