About Koalas
There is so much to learn all about this wonderful iconic species, the koala.
The more we understand them, the better we can help them.
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were officially listed as endangered in 2022, reflecting the serious threats they face. They are one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials and the only surviving member of the Phascolarctidae family, with wombats being their closest living relatives.
Koalas are found along the coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Understanding their biology, behaviour, and habitat needs is essential to ensuring their survival in the wild.
Habitat & Diet
Koalas live mainly in eucalyptus forests and feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. To stay healthy, they rely on a variety of tree species, as different leaves provide essential nutrients. Eucalyptus leaves are low in energy, so koalas conserve it by resting or sleeping for up to 20 hours a day.
Protecting and restoring suitable habitat with enough food and shelter is vital for their survival. Learn how you can help by visiting our Trees for Koalas page.
Life Cycle & Breeding
- Breeding season: July to December
- Sexual maturity: Females ~2 years, males ~3 years
- Reproduction: Usually one joey per year (twins are rare)
Joeys are born tiny (around 2cm), hairless, and blind. After birth, they crawl into their mother’s pouch, where they continue developing while feeding on her milk. They begin venturing out after about six to seven months, riding on mum’s tummy or back.
During this stage, they start eating a special maternal faeces called pap, which provides the gut bacteria needed to digest eucalyptus leaves. By about 12 months of age, the young koala develops its independence.
Home Range & Movement
Koalas maintain distinct territories, with ranges that often overlap between dominant males, females, and sub-dominant individuals. Males use scent marking to mark trees and communicate ownership of their area.
Koalas are strongly attached to their home range and will often attempt to return if moved. Consequently, relocating healthy, established adults is discouraged, and legislation exists to prevent unnecessary translocations.
Juveniles will generally move away from their mother’s home range at around 18 months to 2 years to establish their own territory. Females will often choose to set up a home range that will overlap their mothers or will settle not too far away, while the young males tend to move a lot further to find a new breeding group.
Dispersal season coincides with the adult breeding season – meaning there are a large number of koalas on the move for various reasons. During this time, they are all particularly vulnerable to threats such as road strike and predators.
Senses & Communication
Hearing: Acute, allowing long-distance communication
Smell: Detects safe leaves to eat and identifies other koalas
Vocalisations: Males bellow; females make a range of sounds during breeding or when threatened
Adaptations
Fur: Thick and woolly, protecting from rain and temperature extremes
Camouflage: Speckled rear blends with tree bark
Unique pouch: Mid-opening, slightly backward facing, like wombats
Distinctive noses: Each koala has a unique nose pattern; males have larger noses, females smaller
Ear tags: Indicate rescue history in the region (right ear for females, left for males)
Additional Educational Koala Information
Queensland State Government Koala Facts page-you can even listen to audio of koala sounds
Friends of the Koala