What special characteristics help a koala live where it does?

Answer 1

Koalas are found in eucalypt bushlands of Australia. Special characteristics that enable koalas to live where they do include:

• Koalas require only a few types of gum leaves from which they get all nutrients and water requirements. Eucalyptus leaves are tough, toxic and low in nutrition, but the koala has a stomach which can remove the toxins from where they are filtered out by the liver. The caecum completes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients.
• Koalas rarely need to drink. They have been known to drink water during times of prolonged or extreme heat, but otherwise they obtain all their moisture requirements from gum leaves.
• Koalas live high in gum trees, and to this end, they have adaptations that enable them to quickly climb these tall, straight, smooth-barked trees, and to remain in the trees. They 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.
• As with all marsupials, the koala has a pouch, where the joey stays after birth for up to ten months. When the joey leaves the pouch, it stays for several more months on the back of its mother. The pouch opens backwards. After about 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.

Answer 2

Koalas have unique adaptations that help them thrive in their eucalyptus tree habitat. Specialized digestive systems allow them to efficiently process the toxic compounds in eucalyptus leaves. Their large, sharp claws and strong limbs help them climb and grip the trees, while their thick fur provides insulation from both heat and cold. Additionally, their sedentary and low-energy lifestyle conserves energy given the low-nutrient nature of their diet.