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Koalas were called koala bears long before the mid twentieth century. Early European settlers thought they resembled small bears. The name increased in popularity during the twentieth century as two events occurred simultaneously: the rising popularity of the teddy bear in the US (Koalas have some vague resemblance to a teddy bear), and the increase in US visitors to Australia as American servicemen spent time in Australia. The name simply became popular as a result.

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12y ago

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