Koala

The koala is a marsupial of eucalyptus woodlands in eastern Australia. Its gripping hands and feet help it move among branches, where it selects leaves from suitable food trees. A low-energy leaf diet and slow digestion help explain its long resting periods. Mothers shelter tiny young in a pouch, and older joeys ride on the mother's back or belly. Despite the common phrase koala bear, the koala is not a bear.