【明報專訊】Koalas are not bears!

Though sometimes called "koala bears", koalas are marsupials (有袋類動物), not bears. The word "marsupial" is derived from the Latin marsupium, meaning "pouch"(育兒袋). Like kangaroos, koalas have a pouch to carry their baby during early development. These charismatic animals live in the eucalyptus (尤加利樹) forests of Australia. To koalas, eucalyptus trees are not just their food sources, but also home and breeding ground.(photo.1)

◆What's the difference between southern and northern koalas?

Koalas in southern Australia look different from their northern counterparts. Southern koalas are typically larger in size. Their fur is brownish and also longer and shaggier (蓬亂). This helps them to get adapted to the cooler weather in southern part of the country.

The secret pouch,

koalas' nursing room

When a koala baby (called a joey) is born, it is only about the size of a jelly bean. Although it cannot see or hear yet, the joey climbs into its mother's pouch immediately and develops further while feeding on mother's milk—but still, a joey can find its way using smell, touch and an inborn sense of direction! You may not notice a female koala's pouch because it opens backward, toward her hind legs (後腳). A joey will stay in the pouch for around half a year and become fully independent at the age of one.

◆What threats are koalas facing?

Koala is listed as "Vulnerable" in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (國際自然保護聯盟瀕危物種紅色名錄). They are facing habitat loss due to land clearance for expansion of human settlement. Injury or death from traffic as well as attacks by domestic dogs may threaten koalas' survival. Climate change further reduces the habitat of the animals.

Hong Kong's southern koalas

There are two southern koalas gifted by the government of South Australia to Hong Kong. Together with laughing kookaburras (笑翠鳥) and red-necked wallabies (紅頸袋鼠), they are the ambassadors for advocating health and sustainability as critical considerations in our everyday lifestyle choices and connecting visitors with South Australia and its native animals.

◆"Koalas get drunk on eucalyptus."

Is it true?

Yes, koalas sleep a lot, up to 20 hours a day; but NO, they are not drunk on eucalyptus. In fact, most of their time is spent sleeping because they need a lot of energy digesting (消化) their toxic, fibrous (含纖維的), low-nutritional diet and sleeping is the best way to conserve energy. Besides, koalas do not drink. It is because eucalyptus leaves contain high water content (around 60-80%).(photo.2)

■Glossary

charismatic (adj) 充滿魅力的

counterpart (n) 對應的人或物

ambassador (n) 大使

advocate (v) 提倡

Text & photos: Ocean Park Hong Kong

[Smarties' Power English 第208期]