answersLogoWhite

0

Why is the koala a strange animal?

Updated: 8/20/2019
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Best Answer

A koala is not a strange animal, but it certainly has some unique characteristics.

Koalas are unique because they live in eucalyptus trees and eat only a few types of gum leaves from which they get all nutrients and water requirements. Eucalyptus leaves are tough, toxic and low in nutrition, but the koala has developed a stomach which is capable of removing the toxins from where they are filtered out by the liver. The caecum completes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients. The caecum is similar to the human appendix.

Koalas are marsupials, and they are unique for having a backward-facing pouch. They are also unique because, once the young joeys are about 30 weeks old, the mother produces a substance called pap. This substance is actually a specialised form of the mother's droppings which, having passed through her digestive system, give the joey the enzymes it needs to be able to start digesting the tough gum leaves, making an easier transition for the baby koala to start eating eucalyptus leaves.

Koalas have very strong claws suitable for gripping trees and climbing. Between their first and second "fingers" is a large gap, which enables them to also grip tree branches comfortably, whilst their hind legs have one toe set at a wide angle. Like humans, they also have unique fingerprints, and are one of very few mammals to do so.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is the koala a strange animal?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is a koala the animal emblem of Queensland?

Yes. The koala is the animal emblem of Queensland.


What sort of animal is bunyip bluegum?

a koala


What is an animal for Queensland Australia?

The animal is the Koala


What name is not an Australian animal koala bear platypus pademelon or wallaby?

The bear is not an Australian animal. Most read 'koala bear', right? But it is just 'koala'.


What is the top of an animal?

koala


Is a koala a pouched animal?

Yes. The female koala has an abdominal pouch.


Animal starts with K?

Koala


What is the tiredest animal?

The sloth or the koala.


Frankie Jonas favor. animal?

his favorite animal is a koala


What is Avril lavinge favorite animal?

Her favorite animal is the koala!


What animals are in the koala's family?

None. Koala are the only animal in their family, which is the Phascolarctidae family.


Which animal has the longest actual digestive system between a rabbit a koala and a dog?

Koala