Koala in Gum Tree

Koala in Gum Tree

Koalas are an interesting animal that is from Australia.  They are one of few animals that can eat eucalyptus leaves as the majority of their diet.  A gum tree is a type of eucalyptus tree.  The leaves have a toxin in them.  But the koala has a slow metabolism and enzymes in its digestive system that break down the toxins.  Because their metabolism is so slow the eucalyptus leaves stay in there a long time and have time for the enzymes to break up the toxins.  Koalas are thought to live between 13 and 18 years.  The young are preyed upon by dingoes, owls, eagles and pythons.  The males generally do not have any natural predator except perhaps a dingo, IF the adult koala were caught on the ground.  

Koalas sleep most of the time.  In fact, they sleep like 22 hours a day.  The sleep up in the trees.  A adult male koala weighs around 26 lbs or 11.8 kg in the southern region.  They are smaller in the north.  .   . at 14.3 lbs or 6.8 kg.  The koalas in the south are more heavily furred.  The baby koalas are only .5 grams or about 1/58 of an oz. when they are born.  The newborn baby koala is about the size of a bee.  After they are born they crawl around to mommy's pouch to continue to develop.  One more stat is that adults are between 2 and 3 feet long or 60 to 85 cm long.  

 Artist's Note:  If you want this animal to look realistic look it up online.  But I will also tell you that the nose and eyes should be colored black. . . IF you want it realistic.  Also, remember that printable vesions of the drawing are found by clicking the correct buttons up top.  .  . either click on the Animals button or All Printables.  The new drawings are found down at the bottom of the list.  I am drawing several Australian animals over the next few weeks.  We are coming there this summer on an Outback Tour.   We are very exctied to come see Australia!