<Li> Koala subiens Burnett, 1830 </Li> <P> The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus, or, inaccurately, koala bear) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia . It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae and its closest living relatives are the wombats . The koala is found in coastal areas of the mainland's eastern and southern regions, inhabiting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia . It is easily recognisable by its stout, tailless body and large head with round, fluffy ears and large, spoon - shaped nose . The koala has a body length of 60--85 cm (24--33 in) and weighs 4--15 kg (9--33 lb). Pelage colour ranges from silver grey to chocolate brown . Koalas from the northern populations are typically smaller and lighter in colour than their counterparts further south . These populations possibly are separate subspecies, but this is disputed . </P> <P> Koalas typically inhabit open eucalypt woodlands, and the leaves of these trees make up most of their diet . Because this eucalypt diet has limited nutritional and caloric content, koalas are largely sedentary and sleep up to 20 hours a day . They are asocial animals, and bonding exists only between mothers and dependent offspring . Adult males communicate with loud bellows that intimidate rivals and attract mates . Males mark their presence with secretions from scent glands located on their chests . Being marsupials, koalas give birth to underdeveloped young that crawl into their mothers' pouches, where they stay for the first six to seven months of their lives . These young koalas, known as joeys, are fully weaned around a year old . Koalas have few natural predators and parasites, but are threatened by various pathogens, such as Chlamydiaceae bacteria and the koala retrovirus, as well as by bushfires and droughts . </P> <P> Koalas were hunted by indigenous Australians and depicted in myths and cave art for millennia . The first recorded encounter between a European and a koala was in 1798, and an image of the animal was published in 1810 by naturalist George Perry . Botanist Robert Brown wrote the first detailed scientific description of the koala in 1814, although his work remained unpublished for 180 years . Popular artist John Gould illustrated and described the koala, introducing the species to the general British public . Further details about the animal's biology were revealed in the 19th century by several English scientists . Because of its distinctive appearance, the koala is recognised worldwide as a symbol of Australia . Koalas are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . The Australian government similarly lists specific populations in Queensland and New South Wales as Vulnerable . The animal was hunted heavily in the early 20th century for its fur, and large - scale cullings in Queensland resulted in a public outcry that initiated a movement to protect the species . Sanctuaries were established, and translocation efforts moved to new regions koalas whose habitat had become fragmented or reduced . The biggest threat to their existence is habitat destruction caused by agriculture and urbanisation . </P>

How long does a baby koala stay with its mother