Facts about Koala Adaptation to Diet

1. 05

   Specialized gut microbes in koalas' digestive tracts help break down the tough cellulose and toxic compounds found in eucalyptus leaves.

   Koala Adaptation to DietJun 6sharebiologydigestionmicrobiology
2. 04

   Despite eucalyptus leaves being nutrient-poor and low in calories, koalas conserve energy by sleeping up to 22 hours per day.

   Koala Adaptation to DietJun 6sharebiologybehavioradaptation
3. 03

   A koala's sense of smell is highly developed, allowing it to select and avoid eucalyptus leaves with dangerously high toxin concentrations before eating.

   Koala Adaptation to DietJun 6sharebiologysensoryadaptation
4. 02

   The koala's cecum, used to ferment and detoxify eucalyptus leaves, is one of the longest relative to body size of any mammal.

   Koala Adaptation to DietJun 6sharebiologydigestionanatomy
5. 01

   Koalas detoxify the poisonous terpenes and phenols in eucalyptus leaves using specialized liver enzymes, allowing them to survive on a diet lethal to most mammals.

   Koala Adaptation to DietJun 6sharebiologyevolutiondiet