Facts About Koalas: 10 Things to Know

The koala is one of Australia's most beloved icons — and one of its most misunderstood. Here are ten facts about this remarkable marsupial, and where you might see one in the wild.

Ten things to know

1. They sleep a lot — up to 20 hours a day, conserving energy on a low-nutrient diet.
2. They eat a lot of eucalyptus — up to about a kilogram of leaves daily, storing extra in their cheek pouches.
3. They have sharp claws — built for gripping smooth tree trunks effortlessly.
4. Their fur is weatherproof — shedding rain and insulating against temperature extremes.
5. They have few natural predators — mainly threatened by dogs, vehicles and habitat loss.
6. They are not bears — koalas are marsupials, more closely related to kangaroos.
7. Joeys grow in the pouch — a tiny newborn develops there for around six months.
8. They have fingerprints — so similar to ours they can confuse crime scenes.
9. They rarely drink — getting most moisture from leaves (the name is often said to mean "no water").
10. They are a conservation priority — listed as endangered in parts of eastern Australia.

Where to see them

Swain Destinations arranges responsible koala encounters — including conservation-focused sanctuaries and wild sightings on Kangaroo Island — within tailor-made Australia itineraries.