The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) was once slaughtered for its fur, but the animal is now protected. Confined to the southeastern states of Australia, koalas feed on about 12 species of eucalyptus or gum tree. They rarely come to the ground and spend most of their lives in the tree tops eating leaves and young bark. They are mostly solitary, but an adult male usually has a small harem which he guards jealously. The maximum body length is about 85 cm (33 in). |
