How to Identify a Koala

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Notice one of the most recognizable features of a koala bear; the tufts of white fur inside its ears, on its chest, rump, chin and various other parts of the body. Their color ranges from light gray to brown with white chests, underside of the arms and backside of legs. The fur is thick, water-repellent and protects them in both hot and cold weather.
Step 2:
Note the features of a koala bear's face. It has a very large, leathery nose possessing a strong sense of smell, enabling it to distinguish between various types of eucalyptus leaves, which contain various levels of toxins. It has large ears and small eyes, giving it an excellent advantage when it comes to hearing enemies and other koalas but limited eyesight.
Step 3:
View the unique characteristics of its hands and feet. Both have long, very strong claws on each digit, except the toe on the rear feet. On the front paws two toes are opposable to the other three, used much like the human thumb. On the hind feet the second and third toes are joined, giving it a double-clawed effect. Koalas have gripping pads on their feet to aid in climbing.
Step 4:
Look at the body of a koala. Although it looks cuddly the body is lean and strong, with a curved spine still preserving the stump of what was once a tail. The limbs are all the same length, with very strong thigh muscles which aid their climbing ability. The rump is cushioned, making it comfortable for the koala to rest in the trees, where it spends most of its life.
Step 5:
Examine the pouch of a koala. It opens inward, rather than upwards or downwards like other marsupials. The weight of the growing joey often forces it to hang down, and the pouch has strong sphincter muscles to keep the young from falling out. The young stay in the pouch for six months, and become independent from the mother at nine months. Mother koalas are very protective of their young.
Step 6:
Observe that the male is larger and has a scent gland in the center of its chest. When climbing its home tree, it rubs its scent on the tree to claim it. Koalas weigh between 9 and 20 lbs and measures between 27 and 36 inches. They live between nine and twenty years, spending most of it in trees; they dislike being on the ground, traveling from tree to tree if possible.

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