The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal, herbivorous marsupial native to eastern and southeastern Australia. Solitary and eucalyptus-dependent, it sleeps 18–20 hours, breeds via pouches, inhabits woodlands and shrublands, and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
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Picture Courtesy: THEHINDU
Australia approved the world's first single-dose vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia.
It is a bacterial infection transmitted via close contact, mating, or from mother during birth.
Transmission: Spread through mating, infected discharges, and from mother to joey during birth or pouch time.
Symptoms: Eye infections (conjunctivitis), urinary tract infections, reproductive cysts, infertility, blindness, dehydration, and weakened immunity.
Impact: Up to 50% of koala deaths in affected regions; infection rates reach 70% in some populations.
Treatment Challenges: Antibiotics disrupt eucalyptus digestion, leading to starvation; advanced cases often require euthanasia.
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal, herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. Its closest relatives are wombats.
Physical Traits:
Behavior: Asocial, with interaction limited to breeding season (spring-summer). Mothers and joeys share strong bonds.
Reproduction: Marsupials; underdeveloped joeys develop in a backward-facing pouch for 6 months. Maturity at 2-3 years.
Diet: Folivorous; primarily eucalyptus leaves, which are low in nutrients and toxic to most animals. Koalas sleep 18-20 hours daily to conserve energy due to their low-calorie diet.
Geographic Range: Found in eastern and southeastern Australia
Habitat: Inhabits open eucalypt woodlands, forests, and coastal shrublands, ranging from tropical to cool temperate climates.
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Source: THEHINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. With reference to koalas, consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: B Statement 1 is correct: Koalas are indeed marsupials that live in trees and eat plants. Statement 2 is correct: Eucalyptus leaves are their primary food source. Statement 3 is incorrect: Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, not a viral one. |
Koalas are tree-dwelling marsupials native to Australia, known for their eucalyptus-based diet and iconic status in wildlife conservation.
Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests in eastern and southeastern Australia, which provide food and shelter.
Koalas help maintain forest health by pruning eucalyptus trees and supporting biodiversity through ecological balance.
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