Thinkabara🐨 Koala Facts for Kids
🐾 Mammals Grades K–5
The koala is a plant-eating mammal that lives in Australia. Koalas are not bears — they are marsupials that carry babies in a pouch.
🐨 Koala fact file
- Scientific name
- Phascolarctos cinereus
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Where it lives
- Australia
- Habitat
- Eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia
- Diet
- Herbivore (plant-eater) — Eucalyptus leaves — almost nothing else
- Size
- About 2 to 3 feet long
- Weight
- About 9–33 lb
- Life span
- About 10–15 years
- Status
- Vulnerable
📏 A koala is about as big as a toddler.
⭐ 5 fun facts about koalas
- Koalas are not bears — they are marsupials that carry babies in a pouch.
- They sleep about 18 to 22 hours a day.
- Eucalyptus leaves are tough and low in energy, so koalas save energy by resting.
- Koalas have fingerprints that look a lot like human fingerprints.
- A baby koala is called a joey.
Where do koalas live?
Wild koalas are found in Australia. Eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia. If you want to see one in the United States, visit an accredited zoo or aquarium.
What do koalas eat?
Koalas are herbivores, which means they eat plants. Their menu: eucalyptus leaves — almost nothing else.
Is the koala endangered?
Status: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it. You can help wild animals by learning about them, saving energy, cutting down on plastic and supporting zoos, aquariums and parks that protect wildlife.
Koala quiz
What do koalas mostly eat?
What kind of eater is the koala?
What kind of animal is the koala?
On which continent can you find wild koalas?
✏️ Write about the koala
1. The most surprising fact I learned is…
2. If I could ask a koala one question, I would ask…
3. Draw the koala in its habitat:
Koala questions kids ask
Where do koalas live?
Koalas live in Australia. Their habitat: Eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia.
What do koalas eat?
Koalas are herbivores (plant-eater). They eat: Eucalyptus leaves — almost nothing else.
How big is a koala?
About 2 to 3 feet long. Weight: About 9–33 lb. A koala is about as big as a toddler.
How long do koalas live?
About 10–15 years.
Is the koala endangered?
Its conservation status is: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it.
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