How do wallabies survive in winter?

Answer 1

There are a couple of methods koalas use to keep cool. Firstly, because the eucalyptus leaves they chew give them very little energy and require a lot of energy to digest, koalas restrict their movement to a minimum.

However, their main method for keeping cool is by spreading out in the high branches of eucalyptus trees. This serves two purposes. It helps to open up their thick, insulating fur to allow the escape of heat from their bodies. Secondly, scientific research using infrared sensing has shown that koalas seek out the cooler parts of trees. They drape their bodies over these parts, extending their limbs and allowing them to hang down either side, thereby exposing their bodies to as much of the coolness as possible.

They do not readily swim if they can avoid it.

Answer 2

The kangaroo is well adapted to the Australian conditions.

• Kangaroos are essentially nocturnal, being active during the night time. They are crepuscular, meaning they feed in the early morning, before it is too hot, and in the evening, as the earth cools down.
• During the day, they laze around under trees, chewing their cud.
• Their large ears help with heat dissipation.
• Contrary to overseas opinion, kangaroos do not live in the sandy desert. There is always vegetation for them to shelter underneath.
• Australian winters are not exceptionally cold in kangaroo habitats, so it does not need to find any unique ways to keep itself warm.

Answer 3

Wallabies shelter under trees or cliff overhangs. They do not wander about in the heat of the day, but graze quietly in bushland.