Science

Life Science

Zoology- Phascolarctidae (koalas)

Phascolarctidae
There is only one species of marsupial in this family. The koala is found in the eucalyptus forests eastern Australia. The koala has thick gray to brown fur; a round head; large, furry ears; small, round eyes; and a large, black nose. The koala has large front paws with five long, sharp claws on each paw that it uses to climb trees. It has two opposable toes on its front paws that it uses to grab branches. It has five claws on its rear paws, two climbing claws, two grooming claws, and one grabbing claw. The koala eats the leaves, stems, and flowers of eucalyptus trees.

Koala
Key: profileArticle Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio
Vulnerable Vulnerable Endangered Endangered Critically Endangered Critically Endangered extinct inthe wild Extinct in the Wild extinct Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist
 
Phascolarctidae Genus  
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Phascolarctidae Resources 		 
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Websites

Family Phascolarctidae profile Photos
There is only one species in this family, the koala. It is found in wooded areas of eastern Australia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Phascolarctidae profile Photos
The eucalyptus tree contains chemicals that are poisonous to most animals, but the koala has a special digestive system that lets it digest eucalyptus. Learn more.
Source: NHPTV Wildlife Journal Junior Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Phascolarctos (koalas)

Koala profile Photos Audio
Newborn koalas are called joeys. When a joey is born, it uses strong forelimbs and hands to crawl from the birth canal into its mother's pouch. Learn more!
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Audio
Newborn koalas are about the size of a jelly bean and have no fur! Learn more here and print out a koala fact sheet or send a koala e-card.
Source: National Geographic Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Video Audio
Koalas in the southern parts of Australia are larger and have thicker fur than those in the north. Learn more here and be sure to check out the kids' section kids with facts, a koala dictionary, images, and more.
Source: Australian Koala Foundation Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Video
Koalas may look like bears, but they are marsupials and are more closely related to kangaroos and opossums!
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Video
After birth, a female carries a single baby in its pouch for about six months. Learn more and print out a koala fact sheet.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Audio
Koala are mainly active at night. They make loud grunts or squeals to communicate with one another. Learn more and listen to a koala story or print out a koala fact sheet.
Source: Perth Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Koala profile Photos Video
Koala's eat about two and a half to three pounds of foliage every day. Learn more!
Source: Los Angeles Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Koala profile
Koalas store food in their cheeks! Learn more here and print out a koala diagram!
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Koala Quiz
How much do you know about koalas? Test your knowledge here.

Koala Quiz
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Online Video

National Geographic Kids
Koala

Arkive Video and Images
Koala

lessons

Animals A to Z:
Koala
Animals A to Z printable activity pages are designed for weekly use with students in grade 2-4. Students learn interesting facts about animals they know (and some animals they don't know) as they reinforce basic skills of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Source: Education World

Koala Lessons and Activities - PreK-2
Collection of PDF handouts on koalas.
Source: Save the Koala