The koala is a species of marsupial very similar to the bear, although it is not directly related to them. His petite appearance and sweet expression make him an internet favorite. In addition, these animals are popular for spending long hours sleeping, do you know how much does a koala sleep?
If you are interested in learning about this and other characteristics of this curious marsupial, then you cannot miss the following article. Keep reading!
Characteristics of koalas
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) has a stocky complexion. Do you know how big koalas are? The body reaches between 60 cm and 85 cm, and weighs up to 15 kg. The body is completely covered in very thick fur that is long and dense on the back, while the strands on the belly are shorter. This coat works as insulation against wind and rain, as well as being a means of protection against solar radiation. The color of the fur varies between light gray and brown, while the belly area is white.
They are herbivorous animals, most of their diet consists of eucalyptus leaves Eucalyptus is rich in metabolites, a compound that is lethal for most mammals. In addition, koalas are not very sociable, males are more territorial than females and mark their territory by rubbing their pectoral glands against the trunks and branches they find.
The males differ from the females by several characteristics: they are larger, have a curved nose and communicate through roars. The females, meanwhile, emit moans, growls and low-frequency cries.
Koalas' breeding phase occurs between mid-spring and summer, and extends into early fall. The gestation period covers approximately 35 days, after which the females give birth to a single calf. Their expectation is from 13 to 18 years old, however, due to the constant fights during mating, the males live less than the females.
Where do koalas live?
Do you know where koalas live? They are endemic to Australia, specifically to the east and southeast. There they are located in different ecosystems, from forest forests to areas with tropical and temperate climates. They are also capable of surviving in semi-arid climates, but prefer areas with abundant rivers and streams that provide them with water and shelter in times of drought and extreme heat.
Most of the time koalas live in trees, as it is difficult for them to move on land. Outside the canopy they move by crawling, which makes them easy prey for predators. The place they choose to live is determined by the number of trees, since they move to other areas if the food source does not satisfy them.
How many hours does a koala sleep?
Now that you know the general characteristics of these marsupials, it's time to tell you how many hours a koala sleeps. It is among the animals that dedicate more hours to this activity, since they can sleep up to 22 hours a day, after this, they only use 2 hours to feed, satisfy their physiological needs and reproduce. What is this about?
The eucalyptus-based diet gives them low energy, so most of the time they avoid activities that require a lot of effort. Koalas use the branches of trees to rest, as they look for a position where they can lie down on the thickest ones Thanks to this, they fight the heat by staying under the branches that keep a lower temperature.
What do koalas eat?
As we mentioned, the sleeping habits of koalas are closely linked to their diet. Koalas feed mainly on eucalyptus leaves. However, this plant is toxic to most animals, including koalas.
However, the digestive system of these marsupials is prepared to digest and eliminate the toxins from eucalyptus leaves. Even so, of some 600 varieties of eucalyptus, the koala only tolerates about 50.
Does eucalyptus make koalas sleepy?
Because eucalyptus is the diet of koalas, there are theories that affirm that this plant acts as a drug for them; this would explain his prolonged sleep sessions. However, this is far from reality.
Although the koala's sleepiness is directly related to its feeding, eucalyptus is a plant rich in fibrous material Because of this, the The stomach must make a lot of effort to fully digest the food. In addition, the plant lacks high nutritional levels, so the doses of energy it provides are minimal, immediately affecting the koala's ability to carry out activities that involve significant physical effort.
The endangered koala?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the koala is cataloging it as a species Vulnerable, since the fragmentation and destruction of its habitat are the main risks that threaten it.
Another problem that affects conservation is forest fires. Being slow animals, it is difficult for them to escape from the affected areas and, in general, they take refuge in the highest branches of the trees, where they are at greater risk due to the intense heat.
In addition, phenomena such as climate change and drought affect the ecosystems they inhabit, since temperate and humid climates are affected. Another important reason is the increase in carbon dioxide emissions, a phenomenon that harms the growth of the trees they use for food.
