Page 75 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

KOALA 75

Hands and Feet
Most primates have opposable
thumbs,which are thumbs that
can bend to touch all of the
fingers. Koalas go one better.
On each hand, they have two
opposable thumbs – and each
foot has an opposable thumb
as well!

ORDER Diprotondonta / FAMILY
Key Facts Phascolarctidae / GENUS & SPECIES
phascolarctos cinereus

Weight Males: 12kg (26.4Ib)
Females: 8kg (17.6Ib)

Length 63–80cm (24.8–31.5in)
Sexual maturity Males: 3–4 years. Females: 2–3 years
Breeding season December–January

Number of young 1
Gestation period 35 days
Breeding interval Yearly
Typical diet Eucalypt leaves

Lifespan 20 years in the wild

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.