Now strict laws protect them from hunters, but their habitat is not protected, and it is disappearing as land is developed. People are trying to save what is left. Koalas will eat from only a few of these. Koalas in different areas like different kinds of eucalyptus leaves. Once a newborn koala latches onto a nipple in its mother's pouch, the nipple swells in its mouth so the joey can't be separated from its food source.
Female koalas are smaller than males.
They have large furry ears and leathery noses. They occasionally jump from one tree to the next. The only marsupial native to the United States is the Virginia opossum. These extinct koalas were much larger than the ones today. Although koalas do drink when necessary, they obtain most of the moisture they need from leaves.