We all know that koalas are one of Australia's most beloved animals. With their fluffy ears, big noses, and sleepy expressions, they look absolutely huggable!

But beyond their adorable appearance, did you know that koalas are incredibly picky eaters, sleep almost the entire day, and even have fingerprints similar to humans? Let's dive into some of the most surprising facts about these fascinating creatures!

Koalas are not bears—they are marsupials!

You may have heard the term “koala bear,” but guess what? Koalas are not bears at all! They belong to the marsupial family, which means they are more closely related to kangaroos and wombats than to bears. Unlike bears, koalas give birth to tiny, underdeveloped babies that must grow inside their mother's pouch before they are ready to face the world. So next time, remember to just call them koalas—no “bear” needed!

Koalas are picky eaters

Koalas may eat a lot—up to one kilogram of eucalyptus leaves per day—but they are also extremely selective about what they eat. Out of over 700 species of eucalyptus trees, koalas only eat from about 50 of them! They also prefer young, tender leaves with high water content and nutrients, usually found at the tops of the trees. Talk about being a food critic!

Koalas sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day

If there were a competition for the world's sleepiest animal, koalas would be serious contenders! These sleepyheads spend up to 22 hours a day dozing in tree branches. Why? Their diet consists mainly of eucalyptus leaves, which are low in nutrients and take a long time to digest. To conserve energy, koalas spend most of their day napping, only waking up to eat and move to a new spot.

Koalas smell like eucalyptus

Ever wondered what a koala smells like? Because they spend most of their lives sitting in eucalyptus trees, their fur absorbs the fresh, minty scent of the leaves. This natural fragrance even acts as a built-in insect repellent! However, male koalas have a much stronger, muskier smell, which helps them mark their territory and attract mates.

Koalas make surprisingly scary sounds

Koalas might look cute, but their voices tell a different story! Male koalas produce deep, guttural growls and bellows—especially at sunrise and sunset—to attract females or warn off rivals. These sounds can travel for miles, and if you ever hear one in the wild, you might think there's a much larger, scarier animal lurking nearby. Who knew such a cute face could produce such terrifying noises?

Koalas prefer to be alone

Koalas are solitary animals that prefer to keep to themselves. Each koala has its own territory, and while their home ranges may overlap, they rarely interact with each other. Female koalas usually stay close to where they were born, while males tend to roam in search of new territory—unless they are large and dominant enough to claim a home base.

Koala babies are born blind, hairless, and tiny

Just like kangaroo babies, koala babies are called "joeys." When they are first born, they are no bigger than a peanut, with no fur, no eyesight, and no ears! But thanks to their strong instincts, they crawl into their mother's pouch immediately after birth. There, they spend the next six months growing and developing before they're ready to explore the outside world.

The word "koala" comes from an Indigenous language

The name "koala" originates from the Dharug language, spoken by the Indigenous people of Australia. It means “no water”, which makes perfect sense—koalas rarely drink water! Instead, they get most of their hydration from eucalyptus leaves. However, when it's extremely hot or dry, they will lick moisture off tree trunks or occasionally sip from water sources.

Koalas can live over 10 years—females live longer

In the wild, koalas typically live for 10 to 12 years, though female koalas tend to outlive males and can reach up to 18 years! Young koalas become independent at about one year old, and by the age of two or three, they are ready to reproduce. Male koalas often have shorter lifespans due to the stress of competing for territory and mates.

Koalas have fingerprints just like humans

This might be the most surprising fact of all—koalas have fingerprints that are almost identical to humans'! Even under a microscope, it's difficult to tell them apart. Scientists believe koalas evolved fingerprints to help them grip tree branches, much like how our fingerprints help us grasp objects. So, if a koala ever committed a crime, good luck identifying them!

Lykkers, which fact surprised you the most?

Koalas are much more fascinating than they seem! From their picky eating habits to their spooky growls and human-like fingerprints, these fluffy creatures have some of the most unexpected traits. Lykkers, which fact blew your mind the most? Or do you know any other cool koala facts? Let's chat in the comments!