They are tough, fibrous, very low in nutrients and packed with toxic oils and chemical compounds designed to poison herbivores.
Koalas have evolved an incredible, specialized biological superpower: a remarkably long digestive tract and a unique liver packed with detoxifying enzymes that safely break down these plant toxins. Because eucalyptus leaves provide very little energy, koalas conserve their strength by sleeping between 18 and 20 hours every single day! Furthermore, the word "koala" comes from an Indigenous Dharug Australian word thought to mean "no drink," because they absorb almost all the water they need directly from the moisture in fresh eucalyptus leaves!
Unfortunately, scientists, conservationists and the Australian government are deeply concerned about koalas. In 2022, koala populations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory were officially reclassified from "vulnerable" to "endangered" under Australia's national environmental law.
They face serious environmental threats, including:
