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Is it true that Koalas are unable to eat anything but Eucalyptus leaves?

Question #24665. Asked by simon.
Last updated May 16 2021.

Clithers
Answer has 6 votes
Clithers
22 year member
19 replies

Answer has 6 votes.
Its true. Stomachs have adapted so can only digest the eucalyptus. Same as pandas and bamboo - except for the stripes.

Nov 29 2002, 4:32 PM
Kainantu
Answer has 11 votes
Currently Best Answer
Kainantu

Answer has 11 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Koalas eat only eucalyptus. There are about 200 kinds of eucalyptus found in the world, but Koalas eat only about 12 kinds. They are herbivores, which means that they will only eat plants and vegetables. A bowl of lettuce and tomatoes would not appeal to a Koala, being they are very picky eaters. Koalas spend about 5 hours out of their day eating so they don't starve. During these 5 hours, they eat up to 2 pounds of eucalyptus. They are able to do this because of their very long intestine. Koalas cannot gain weight.(?) The gum leaves they eat have no fat and are very low in vitamins. It is a poor diet so they have little energy to travel. The word 'Koala' means 'no drink' which makes sense because the Koala does not drink water. Their water supply comes from the eucalyptus leaves they eat.

Response last updated by LadyNym on Aug 21 2016.
Dec 01 2002, 10:55 AM
kristen17050
Answer has 4 votes
kristen17050
21 year member
23 replies

Answer has 4 votes.
The koala gets it's name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" because it receives over 90% of it's hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. ie during droughts etc.
Koalas like a change, too, and sometimes they will eat from other trees such as wattle or tea tree.
link http://www.thekoala.com/koala/

Aug 11 2003, 9:07 PM
mumby21
Answer has 2 votes
mumby21
21 year member
50 replies

Answer has 2 votes.
They don't drink either, and "eucalptus" are the leaves of eucalyptus gum trees, and only specific ones at that.

Aug 13 2003, 4:41 AM
mochyn
Answer has 3 votes
mochyn
21 year member
1206 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
They don't only eat the leaves of the eucalyptus tree but they spend their money on Wrigley's gum

Response last updated by CmdrK on May 16 2021.
Sep 22 2003, 2:17 PM
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LadyNym star
Answer has 3 votes
LadyNym star
Moderator
10 year member
154 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.
While koalas eat mostly eucalyptus leaves, their diet is not limited to them, nor are they unable to eat anything else: link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala#Ecology_and_behaviour

Aug 21 2016, 9:00 AM
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satguru star
Answer has 4 votes
satguru star
Moderator
21 year member
1250 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.
They prefer specific eucalyptus leaves but will also eat others such as tea tree, wattle or paperbark.

link https://www.savethekoala.com/about-koalas/koalas-diet-digestion

Sep 10 2016, 2:07 PM
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