Phascolarctos cinereus cinereus

(Goldfuss, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Koala
French : Koala

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Diprotodontia
Family : Phascolarctidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known. Subspecies status not clear, adustus treated as a synonym of nominate here.

Identification
Body length of 82 cm, weight of 14.9 kg. Unmistakable and iconic animal. Females are smaller than males. Thick fur usually grayish to brown-gray with clear gray to beige rump and breast. Big furry ears. Big black snout. Tail-less.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of eastern and south-eastern Australia, from north-Queensland to South Australia. Other subspecies endemic to the state of Victoria. Lives in wet and dry woodlands and forests dominated by Eucalyptus trees.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is globally uncommon in the wild because of its habitat requirements. It is often killed by dogs, cars or bushfires in recent times.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

Back to “Marsupials” page