Q: What do koalas eat?
A: Koalas only eat approximately 50 of the 600 different eucalyptus species in Australia. Each koala eats around 400 to 600 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day. Eucalyptus leaves contain approximately 50% water so koalas generally do not need an additional water source. The word "koala" is aboriginal for "doesn’t drink", although they have been known to drink water.

Q: How many hours do koalas sleep a day?
A: Eucalyptus leaves are a low energy diet for the koala and consequently koalas must sleep approximately 18 to 19 hours each day to conserve energy.

Q: How small is a marsupial when it is first born?
A: Marsupials are between two to three centermetres in length and weigh just half a gram. They are blind and completely hairless at birth and complete their development inside the seclusion of the mother’s pouch.

Q: What is a baby koala called?
A: A baby koala is referred to as a joey.

Q: How many babies can a koala have each year?
A: Koalas normally give birth to a single young. Twins are very rare.

Q: How long does a baby koala remain in the pouch?
A: The baby stays in the pouch for six to seven months and remains with the mother until weaning at 12 months of age.

Q: How do you tell the difference between a male and a female koala?
A: Females have a pouch and a cream coloured chest.  Males have a dark brown mark in the centre of their chest called a "scent gland", which they use to mark their territory and attract females during the breeding season.

Q: Do all koalas look the same?
A: No. Koalas differ in their appearance according to the climatic zone in which they live. In Queensland koalas are grey in colour, have a short thick fur and weigh a maximum of nine kilograms. In Victoria and South Australia koalas are dark brown in colour, have a longer thicker fur and weigh a maximum of 14kg.

Q: How long do koalas live for?
A: In captivity koalas live for approximately 10 to 12 years, compared to 8 to 10 years in the wild.

Q: Are koalas endangered?
A: No. The population of koalas in Australia is not classed as  endangered under the federal Endangered Species Protection Act 1992. Local populations of koalas around Australia are however under threat from habitat destruction, bushfires, dog attacks, cars and disease.

Q: How fast can kangaroos jump?
A: Kangaroos can jump at speeds up to 65km/hr. The faster a kangaroo hops the more energy efficient it becomes.

Q: How fast can a wombat run?
A: Wombats are very fast over short distances and can run at speeds up to 40km/hr.