Koalas are the most underrated animal in the animal kingdom. Go out and ask 100 people what their favorite animal is. I bet it will be mostly dogs, cats, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my). Koalas don’t have a huge following because they are really only located in Australia. I saw them in the San Diego zoo.
One thing that concerns me the most about all of our potential presidential candidates is that none of them seem to care about koalas. For that reason, I would run for presidential office on the sole issue of getting every zoo in the United States koalas. Koalas need to be in every zoo in the world. Koalas are infamous for basically always being doped up on eucalyptus leaves (perfect for those more chill humans out there). From afar, they’re the most chill animals on Earth, but if a predator (or a random human) gets too close, the koala will attack and rip someone’s face off. Koalas sleep for 18 to 22 hours a day. Basically, they are the college student’s spirit animal. Here are a few interesting facts about koalas.
1.Opposable thumbs.
Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each front paw for easier climbing, hanging, and holding food. Their second and third fingers on their hind paws are fused to make a grooming claw. Imagine what we could do with more opposable thumbs!
2. Koality dipping.
The word koala actually comes from the Aboriginal word for “no drink” because they get most of the water in their diet from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. There are some cases of koalas sneaking into pools and creeks to cool off in the hot summers.
3. Big eaters.
Each animal eats a tremendous amount for its size. They eat about two and a half pounds of leaves a day. I can eat that amount of Taco Bell. Koalas even store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks. A special digestive system allows koalas to break down the tough eucalyptus leaves and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops, and boy can you smell them. Before seeing the koalas at the San Diego zoo, I could smell them.
4. It’s impossible to look at these pictures without smiling.
It’s futile, don’t even try.
Now that we all share equal love for koalas, let's try and get them in every zoo. Nothing is cuter than watching these little guys munch on some food or dangle off their branches while being fast asleep. Seeing koalas in person is a cherished memory for me, and I recommend seeing koalas to anyone.
