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
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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
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. http://www.thekoala.com/koala/
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