Animal Diaries Archive
A koala doesn't change its spots
25 May 2007
Check out the two young koalas in this photo. Do you notice anything different about them? I'll give you a hint, they each have a very unique identification… their fur coat!
The white colouration that you can see on their rump is a natural marking that all koalas are born with. But each individuals markings are different, depending on genes passed down from their parents. The colouring on their coat serves a very important purpose in the wild, it blends in with the silvery grey colour of our magnificent gum tree trunks, and so helps to camoflauge the koala from our nosy eyes below.
Mackellar, the koala on the left, has inherited beautiful white speckles off her mum Matilda, whilst Seanna on the right, has a nice dark grey coloration, just like her mum Molly.
Nevertheless both girls proudly show off their individual identification.
Our Amazing Koalas
Koalas vary in size and colour depending on where they live in Australia. Koalas found in the southern distributions (Southern NSW and Victoria) tend to be ...more
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Our Amazing Koala(s) are currently on display
