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The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a marsupial mammal and is indigenous to Australia. Their closest relative is the wombat. They live in eucalyptus trees and eat 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 developed a stomach which is capable of removing the toxins from where they are filtered out by the liver. The caecum completes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients. The caecum is similar to the human appendix. The koala must eat over a kilogram of leaves per day to meet its energy requirements. Eucalyptus leaves contain approximately 50% water, 18% fibre, 13% tannins, 8% fat, 5% carbohydrates, 4% protein and 2% minerals. Koalas have been seen feeding in 120 kinds of eucalypt tree including Manna Gum, Swamp Gum, Blue Gum, Forest Red Gum and Grey Gum.

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Can you give a koala something poisonous and it won't die?

Koalas will not eat anything poisonous. They only eat certain types of eucalyptus leaves and blossoms, none of which are poisonous to koalas although they are toxic to many other animal species.


What do koala bears eat other than leaves?

They only eat leaves


What is it call when a koala eats meat and leaves?

A koala doesn't eat meat.


What are the adaptations for a koala?

The Koala has many adaptations. The Koala has fur that is water repellant and protects them fom hot and cold weather. Koalas have a large nose to determine if the eucalypts leaves that they are about to eat are poisonous or not. Also, the koalas paws are thickly padded, allowing for a better grip as the koalas climb.


Are koalas carnivores omnivores or herbivores?

The koala is a herbivore, eating eucalyptus leaves entirely.


What are the adaptations for a Koala's life?

The Koala has many adaptations. The Koala has fur that is water repellant and protects them fom hot and cold weather. Koalas have a large nose to determine if the eucalypts leaves that they are about to eat are poisonous or not. Also, the koalas paws are thickly padded, allowing for a better grip as the koalas climb.


How does the bacteria in the gut of a koala benefit from each other?

Eucalyptus leaves are actually pretty poisonous but due to the koalas special dietary system it can avoid the poisons and collect the water instead. The koala may have to eat many leaves to collect enough water (1.134 kg a day) but the bacteria benefits by surviving in the koala`s system. If it lived outside the body it would not survive.


What are some living factors that influence a koala?

One living factor for a koala is that Eucalyptus trees provide the leaves which the Koala's love to eat and it provides all the Koala's Energy.


Can a koala eat dog or cat food if there are no eucalyptus leaves?

Absolutely not. Koalas can eat only eucalyptus leaves (and occasionally flowers).


Are rose of Sharon leaves poisonous?

No. Eat them. And the flowers.


What are koala bears pray?

I think you mean "prey." In any case, koala bears are herbivores and they eat eucalyptus leaves.


Can you feed your pet sheep lettuce leaves - are they poisonous?

lettuce leaves are not poisonous but your sheep needs grass to eat as its main diet.