Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Diprotodontia
- Family
- Phascolarctidae
- Genus
- Phascolarctus
- Species
- Phascolarctus cinereus
Habitat
Queensland koalas primarily inhabit eucalyptus forests and woodlands in eastern Australia, especially in coastal and sub-coastal regions of Queensland. They prefer areas with a mix of tall eucalypts for feeding and shelter, as well as proximity to water sources in varied terrains from lowlands to hilly areas.
Diet
Queensland koalas feed almost exclusively on the leaves of eucalyptus trees, particularly species like blue gum and grey gum, which provide their main nutrients. They are nocturnal feeders, spending several hours each night chewing leaves high in the tree canopy, and they have a slow metabolic rate that allows them to derive energy from this low-nutrition food.
Behavior
Queensland koalas are primarily solitary and territorial, marking their trees with scent glands and vocalizing with bellows during mating season. They are nocturnal or crepuscular, spending up to 20 hours a day sleeping in tree forks to conserve energy, and they are generally slow-moving but agile climbers. Males may engage in aggressive encounters over mates or territory, while females are more reclusive.
Conservation Status
The koala, including the Queensland subspecies, is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss from deforestation and urbanization. Major threats include disease like chlamydia, climate change impacts on eucalyptus forests, and vehicle strikes, with populations declining overall.