Koala's and Eucaliptus Trees Adaptation to their Environment

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Recommended: Living conditions of koalas

Adaptations

An adaptation is the characteristic of an organism that makes it likely to survive. There are three types of adaptations: structural, physiological, and behavioural. Structural adaptations are physical features, physiological adaptations are related to the internal body functions, while behavioural adaptations refer to how organisms respond to stimuli (Beavis 2014). This paper will discuss some adaptations that help koalas and eucalyptus trees survive in their environments.

Part One: Koala

(Pet Setter n.d.)

Koalas, an Australian native, have the scientific name, ‘Phascolarctos cinereus’, meaning 'ash grey pouched bear.' They are sometimes called koala bears due to their resemblance to bears. However, they are not related to each other. Instead, koalas are related to other marsupials, such as kangaroos and wombats. Being a marsupial means that the females have a pouch for newborns. The Australian Koala Foundation estimated that less than 80000 koalas are left in Australia (Australian Koala Foundation n.d.).

Koalas are arboreal mammals, meaning that they live in trees. They live in eucalyptus trees and feed on their leaves, which are poisonous to most animals. A koala’s home is decided by two main factors: the presence of other koalas and eucalyptus trees. They can eat other tree leaves, but that usually occurs only when eucalyptus leaves are absent (Crawford n.d.).

Wild koalas are found mainly along Australian East Coast and South Australia as shown on the map.

(Australian Koala Foundation n.d.)

Structural Adaptations

Koalas have pear shaped bodies that help in balancing and positioning themselves in tree forks. They also have reduced tails and long limbs that help in ...

... middle of paper ...

...p://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/Euclid/sample/html/learn.htm#evolution>

Crawford, C n.d., The Physiology of Koalas, Davidson College, viewed 22 May 2014,

Glasgow, E 2011, Eucalyptus dives, University of Wisconsin, viewed 23 May 2014,

PBS n.d., Eucalyptus Tree, PBS, viewed 24 May 2014,

Pet Setter n.d., Koala Pet Setter, Pet Setter, viewed 22 May 2014,

Sheppard, H 2007, Eucalypts, Australian Government, viewed 23 May 2014,

The Koala 2009, Koalas, The Koala, viewed 23 May 2014,

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