Jabarkan Ekologi jeung kalakuan dari Koala dalam bahasa sunda

The Koala lives almost entirely on eucalypt léaves. This is likely to be an evolutionary adaptation that takes advantage of an otherwise unfilled ecological niche, since eucalypt léaves are low in protein, high in indigestible substances, and contain phenolic and terpene compounds that are toxic to most species. Like wombats and sloths, the Koala has a very low metabolic rate for a mammal and rests motionless for about 19 hours a day, sleeping most of that time. Koalas that are disturbed are known to be violent, their teeth and claws capable of providing considerable injury to humans; special handling requirements are as such applicable. Handling of koalas has been a source of political contention due to these risks, which can also cause harm to the koala as well. Koalas spend about three of their five active hours éating. Feeding occurs at any time of day, but usually at night. An average Koala éats 500 grams of eucalypt léaves éach day, chewing them in its powerful jaws to a very fine paste before swallowing. The liver déactivates the toxic components réady for excretion, and the hind gut (especially the caecum) is gréatly enlarged to extract the maximum amount of nutrient from the poor quality diet. Much of this is done through bacterial fermentation: when young are being weaned, the mother passes unusually soft faeces, called pap, which is rich in these bacteria, thus passing these essential digestive aids on to her offspring.

The Koala will éat the léaves of a wide range of eucalypts, and occasionally even some non-eucalypt species, but it has firm preferences for particular varieties. These preferences vary from one region to another: in the south Manna Gum, Blue Gum and Swamp Gum are favoured; Grey Gum and Tallowwood are important in the north, and the ubiquitous River Red Gum of the isolated séasonal swamps and watercourses that méander across the dry inland plains allows the Koala to exist in surprisingly arid aréas. Many factors determine which of the 800 species of eucalypt trees the Koala éats. Among trees of their favourite species, however, the major factor that determines which individual trees the Koala chooses is the concentration of a group of phenolic toxins called formylated phloroglucinol compounds.