Bio Koala Powerpoint 2

Phascolarctos Cenereus

Ella Hubley

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Scientific name- phascolarctos cenereus “ash colored bear”

Fossils trace back 50,000 years ago--giant koalas

Europeans fur trade-almost extinct

Today, live on the coastal southern eastern region--New South Whales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia

Now, “protected species”--suffers loss habitat and diseases such as Chlamydia(dieback, brushfires, drought,land clearing)

Extinction in Victoria-authorities relocate animals--increases numbers--inbreeding and over population occurs





Taxonomy Kingdom: animalia

Phylum: Chordata (spinal chord)

Sub-phylum: Verbrata (backbone)

Class: Mammalia (feeds off memory gland/fur)

Sub-class: Marsupial (saftey pouch)

Order: Diprotodontia (sharp teeth lower jaw/ digits are together)

Sub Order: Vambatiformes( womabat left 2 of 7 known families)

Family: Phascolarctidae (only one left)

Sub Species- not identified as valid. Differ in states characterisitcs.North vs. South





















Characteristics

Herbivorous, arboreal,marsupial

-well adapted to life in trees--do not external tails--well balanced

Lean and muscular--strong limbs--low thigh to shin

Rough padded paws--five digits sharp claws--front 2 and 3--hind 1 and 4, two attached for grooming























Fur-”raincoat”--woolly protection from extreme high and low temp. very thick and dense “cushion”

Mature males-brown scent gland

Individual fingerprints

Teeth-adapted to herbivorous diet--front cut--molars shear and chew--large diastema

Average size of a Queensland male- “buck” 14lbs-female “doe”-11lbs--24-33 in.

Keen sense--tell whose marked territory and toxicity


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Small brains-use less energy-adaptive quality to survive on low energy Low body temperature--36 degrees Celsius,slow metabolism.In temperatures above 77 degrees Ferenheit-use evaporative cooling-breathing rapidly-reduce water loss by the amount of water in their urine-in cold-shiver






Behavior

Solitary animals-other than breeding seasonAdults occupy home ranges-range size depends on environment and social ranking--as little as 2.5 acres-half for a female--male live in only 12 diff. trees throughout life Dominant male overlap rangesWithin a stable social group- “food trees” “home trees”--trespassers attacked Young koala becomes sexually mature-disperse from mother’s home range




Arnie’s home range-43 acres-travel in a single night during breeding season.



CommunicationMales bellow--large distances--saves energy--social and physical position

Females not as often-aggression/sexual behavior--with babies annoyance

Both have same call- cry when feared or under stress








DIET

Eucalyptus leaves contain approximately 50% water, 18% fibre, 13% tannins, 8% fat, 5% carbohydrates, 4% protein and 2% minerals.Contains cellulose-inedibleLarge caecum Digestive system-water loss











BIRTH

Marsupial--live in pouch 6 to 7 monthsRides on backPap--in order to get the right digestive system for eucalyptus leaves





















Chlamydia

Most healthy koalas have antibodies--will not necessarily dieTransmitted through pap, mating, fightingCould be natural selection?Prevents trees from being over browsed



Bibliography(“ANTARCTICA YIELDS FIRST LAND MAMMAL FOSSIL”By ROBERT REINHOLD, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: March 21, 1982) (“Environmental assessment of koala’s conservation status, Australian Government website: www.environment.gov.au/minister/env) . (“Physical Characteristics of the Koala”, Australian Koala Foundation, www.savethekoalas.com/koalaphysic.html) (University of Queensland Koala Study Pogram: www.thekoala.com)(Hoff, Mary. Koalas, Creative Education, Mankato, Minnesota, 2006. 12) (“Fingerprint homoplasy: koalas and humans: www.koalaresearch.net.au)(www.koalaplayworld.com(Australian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group, 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species)

http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/env




http://www.savethekoalas.com/koalaphysic.html





http://www.thekoala.com/



http://www.koalaplayworld.com/

