Koala species
- Thread starter Mr.Focal
- Start date
there is only one living species of koala
They probably mean subspecies, which as far as I know there are three (our Aussie friends can confirm this). Most koalas in the United States (all of those originating from San Diego) are Queensland koalas. However, I know at one time there were a few Victoria koalas (I think that is what they are called) at one or two facilities. I have a feeling those have died out by now and we are left with only the Queensland variety over here.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
I think these days the idea is that there is just a North-South cline from Queensland (smallest) to Victoria/South Australia (biggest) via New South Wales.
I heard a report (and was seeking more info) that there is an island where some 'bears' were placed 100 yrs ago off the coast of Australia - I'm assuming they ment 'koala' - and recently genetic differences have been found between the island residents and the continent residents.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Maybe they are referring to the 'koala drop bears' on the island of Tasmania. Drop Bear - Australian Museum
I wouldn't be too confident in a report about different species of koala bears.
All US koalas are the Queensland subspecies except those at Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque which are Victorian. I've heard doubt as to whether the New South Wales koala is actually a subspecies rather than an intergrade.
Correct. Only one species of Koala with no recognised subspecies
Correct. Japanese zoos, for instance, have spent fortunes on vast glasshouses for their Eucalypt plantations.
Blackduiker
Well-Known Member
Blackduiker
Eucalyptus trees have been extremely abundant throughout California for over a century, and are now as common as most native trees. For some time, the only place able to sustain Koala diets in captivity outside of Australia was California, due to its hugely abundant growth of Eucalyptus. Other zoos have now found ways to either have it shipped, grow their own, or, and I remember hearing this sometime back that they can now be fed a type of pellet or biscuit made from Eucalyptus leaves. Anyone have more information on this alternate Koala feed?
Eucalyptus trees have been extremely abundant throughout California for over a century, and are now as common as most native trees. For some time, the only place able to sustain Koala diets in captivity outside of Australia was California, due to its hugely abundant growth of Eucalyptus. Other zoos have now found ways to either have it shipped, grow their own, or, and I remember hearing this sometime back that they can now be fed a type of pellet or biscuit made from Eucalyptus leaves. Anyone have more information on this alternate Koala feed?
Stefka
Well-Known Member
OMG, this is hilarious!!
Especially the part with the "repellents" - forks in the hair
Never heard of that, and I would have to doubt it. I do know that many alternatives have been tried and while some have kept koalas alive for a few months, all have ultimately failed. There are two reasons for this scepticism:
1. Koalas are very picky as to the leaves they will eat. They will typically only eat maybe a third of the leaves offered, and smell out and select the leaves they want to eat from each bunch. Can't see them being very happy with a pellet.
2. Any pellet or biscuit would have to have some form of binder and also possibly a bulking agent. Koalas really are set up to digest only eucalypt leaf, and any other material would probably cause long term problems to their digestive tract even if the koala accepts it in the short term.
Blackduiker
Well-Known Member
Blackduiker
Probably only went through an experimental stage, but I do remember reading it several years ago. Whether just compressed leaves or not, maybe someone else can remark on this.
I just ran across this article, and under the section on Maintenance there is mention of a "eucalypt biscuit" being developed that could possibly sustain them for at least short periods of time:
Koalas
Probably only went through an experimental stage, but I do remember reading it several years ago. Whether just compressed leaves or not, maybe someone else can remark on this.
I just ran across this article, and under the section on Maintenance there is mention of a "eucalypt biscuit" being developed that could possibly sustain them for at least short periods of time:
Koalas
Blackduiker
Well-Known Member
Blackduiker
More on the eucalypt biscuit:
Medicine of Australian Mammals - Google Books
PriorIP - Patent - Koala feedstuff
More on the eucalypt biscuit:
Medicine of Australian Mammals - Google Books
PriorIP - Patent - Koala feedstuff
Thanks Blackduiker, very interesting. Ian Hume is certainly a well known authority on marsupial nutrition.
It would be interesting to know if any zoos outside Australia feed this biscuit. Certainly I feel pretty confident in saying that it is unknown in Australia, and that is 20 years after it's invention.
It also has to be said that the only person quoted advocating the biscuit in any of the sources you have kindly provided is the inventor.
Blackduiker
Well-Known Member
Like I said, I had read about it some years ago. I don't think it would be any true replacement for the real thing. I know the Koalas at my local zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo, are quite content with their fresh eucalyptus leaves every day.
that would be Kangaroo Island off South Australia. The population there, although very large (too large for the island's eucalyptus forests!) is descended from a small number of introduced individuals and is quite inbred. There are genetic differences from the mainland populations but this is in the area of them being less genetically diverse due to their small founder base. It doesn't have anything to do with them being a different species (or subspecies).Mr.Focal said:
OMG, this is hilarious!!
Especially the part with the "repellents" - forks in the hair
I think the vegamite behind the ears works better
The koala population must be pretty good down your way Monty.
I've been down the highway four times in the last twelve months and each time saw one or two roadkill koalas between Tocumwal and Yarroweyah.
That many usually indicates that there are a lot around.
I've been down the highway four times in the last twelve months and each time saw one or two roadkill koalas between Tocumwal and Yarroweyah.
That many usually indicates that there are a lot around.