Do koalas compete with other animals for food?

Answer 1

Not usually. Koalas generally have a range of home trees extending up to 1 square kilometre, and these home ranges overlap with those of other koalas. Their only difficulty is when a road or development is built through the centre of their home range, blocking access to the other trees. When this happens, the koala may try to reach its usual trees, or it may find alternatives.

Answer 2

In order to find food, koalas climb certain species of eucalyptus trees which are their favoured types. 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. They reach out to grab leaves (and occasionally, eucalyptus blossoms) with their paws, which have opposable thumbs and enable them to grip their food.

Answer 3

No. The koala is the only native Australian mammal entirely dependent on eucalyptus leaves. While ringtail possums and greater gliders can also live solely on a diet of eucalyptus leaves, these animals feed on other things as well.