Koalas declared endangered
2022 FEB 26
Preliminary >
Environment and Ecology > Species extinction & protection > Species in news
Why in news?
- Once found in abundance, Australia’s much-loved koalas have now been officially classified as ‘endangered’ after widespread bushfires, drought and land clearing destroyed much of their eucalyptus-rich habitat.
About Koalas:
About marsupial:
A marsupial is born in a very incomplete state.
Opossums, kangaroos etc are examples of marsupials
They are minute, hairless and with hind limbs only partially formed.
Around 2/3rd of them live in Australia. The other third live mostly in South America.
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- Koala is an arboreal (lives in trees) marsupial.
- They are endemic to Australia.
- The typical habitat for Koalas is open eucalypt woodlands, and the leaves of these trees make up most of their diet.
- In terms of societal behavior, Koalas are asocial animals and typically emotional bonding is seen only between mothers and dependent offspring.
- IUCN status: Vulnerable
PRACTICE QUESTION
Koalas, widely discussed in news due to their declining population, are endemic to:
(a) Australia
(b) Arctic
(c) Antarctica
(d) Sahara
Answer