THE KOALAS ; AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL- PRESENTATION/PPT

The koala is one of the world's most iconic animal species. With their round bodies, large fluffy ears, and distinctive spoon-shaped noses, koalas are not only loved around the world but also treasured symbols of Australia.

1. THE KOALAS Submitted By:- Asmita Bhujel Level-4 Semester-1 Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh , Bangladesh

2. General Information The word “Koala’’ comes from an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “ No drink’’ Common name:- Koala Scientific name:- Phascolarctus cinereus Family:- Phascolarctidae Order:- Marsupialia Size:- Adult(70-80 cm) Weight:- Adult(4-9kg) Color:- Mostly Gray A Marsupial ,Warm-blooded mammal They can live upto 17 years Their Fur is thick, soft and pleasant to touch. Ear have long white hairs on the tip.

3. History Fossil remains of koala-like animals have been found 25-40 million years ago. John Prince was the first European to describe koala during his journey into the blue mountain near S ydney in 1798. Koala used to be very common sight till the Aborigines killed all of them in south Australia.

4. Habitat and Food Habits They lives in Eucalyptus forest of Southeastern and Eastern Australia. They are found in climates ranging from Tropical to cool temperate. They rely on Eucalyptus tree for both habitat and food. They survive on a diet of Eucalyptus leaves and can eat upto a kilogram a day Koala didn’t need to drink because of the moisture they get from munching on juicy eucalyptus leaves all day. Koalas also eat a small amount of soil to supplement their diet with mineral nutrients.

5. Breeding Sexual maturity:- males(3-4 years)Females(2-3years) Mating season:- S eptember - January in southern part of range November - February in Northern part of range Gestation length- 35 days Female Koala- Doe Male Koala- Buck Young Koala- Joey Male are naturally bigger than female Females almost always have only one baby at time On average, One female may produce only 5-6 baby koala over her lifetime. Mother koala keep their babies in their pouch for 5 months until they get old enough to come out from the pouch. Baby koala is blind, hairless, only couple of cm long and weigh less than 1 gm.

6. Behaviour Koalas can never be domesticated as cats and dogs They are described as lethargic and comatose animal as they sleep upto 20 hours a day.When not sleeping, they’re usually eating. The typical day of koala consists of 20% feeding time and 80% sleeping time. They spent less than 1% of their time in searching for their mate. Koalas are excellent swimmers They have strong, sharp claws and long toes to help them climb trees and protect themselves from predators.

7. Threats Human threats Habitat destruction Dogs and Feral animals Motor vehicles collision 2) Natural threats Bushfire Drought Disease( They particularly suffer from chlamydiaceae bacteria) Predators like Hawks, Dingoes, Foxes, Snakes

8. Interesting facts about koalas Southern koalas are 30% larger than Northern Koalas The fingerprints of koalas are astonishingly like those of human beings They can run as fast as rabbit They only eat Eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous for most animals They have bad eyesight, but have excellent hearing and a strong sense of smell They sleeps a lot so they’re able to saves their energy for finding food, climbing trees, grooming themselves or caring of their joey’s