What role does a koala play in its ecosystem?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, koalas do not adapt very well to their environment being changed. They are very sensitive to habitat loss, and the resultant ramifications. Numerous koala deaths result from the building of roads and houses through their environment. They do not develop road sense, and they are also more vulnerable to dog attacks when such changes take place.

Answer 2

Koalas have numerous special adaptations to enable them to live in their eucalyptus bushland ecosystem.

Koalas 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, which is similar to the human appendix, completes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients.

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.

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 their 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.

Koalas in southern regions have thick, wool-like waterproof fur to keep them warm in cold weather and dry in rain. Koalas in northern regions are smaller, with less dense fur.

Answer 3

Koalas contribute to their ecosystem just like other animals. They control the population of leaves and plants and are food for larger animals.

Answer 4

Well, they eat those gum trees so if they did not there would be too many gum trees!