Koala
Koalas are found in eucalyptus trees on the coast and in low woodland in land.
Structural adaptations:
- When attracting a mate, the male has a scent gland that has a very strong scent; he also makes a very loud grunting noise.
- Thick wool-like waterproof fur to keep the koalas warm and dry.
- Even though eucalyptus leaves are tough, low in nutrients and toxic the koalas have developed a stomach that is able to cope and removes the toxins that are then filtered out by the liver. Caecum which is similar to the human appendix concludes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients.
Physiological Adaptations:
- Despite no tail, the Koala has an excellent sense of balance. In the skeletal structure of the koala there is an indication that at some point in its history a tail was present.
- Rough pads on the palms and soles of the paws helping to grip tree trunks and branches.
- Koalas have fur on their bottoms which is like a cushion for hard branches they sit on, it also acts as a camouflage to make the Koala hard to spot from the ground.
Behavioural adaptations:
- Koalas live in a community. When one community dies another doesn’t just take over, it takes a year for the scent of the previous community to fade and only then will another koala move into its place.
- They climb tall gumtrees to find food, shelter and to avoid predators from the ground.
Below is a diagram showing the places the adaptations occur on the animal.
Structural adaptations:
- When attracting a mate, the male has a scent gland that has a very strong scent; he also makes a very loud grunting noise.
- Thick wool-like waterproof fur to keep the koalas warm and dry.
- Even though eucalyptus leaves are tough, low in nutrients and toxic the koalas have developed a stomach that is able to cope and removes the toxins that are then filtered out by the liver. Caecum which is similar to the human appendix concludes the process by changing the eucalyptus leaves into digestible nutrients.
Physiological Adaptations:
- Despite no tail, the Koala has an excellent sense of balance. In the skeletal structure of the koala there is an indication that at some point in its history a tail was present.
- Rough pads on the palms and soles of the paws helping to grip tree trunks and branches.
- Koalas have fur on their bottoms which is like a cushion for hard branches they sit on, it also acts as a camouflage to make the Koala hard to spot from the ground.
Behavioural adaptations:
- Koalas live in a community. When one community dies another doesn’t just take over, it takes a year for the scent of the previous community to fade and only then will another koala move into its place.
- They climb tall gumtrees to find food, shelter and to avoid predators from the ground.
Below is a diagram showing the places the adaptations occur on the animal.