Day 37: Koala

Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. Koalas do not drink much water, rather they get their water from the eucalyptus leave they consume. They eat an enormous amount of leaves, about two and a half pound of it a day. They have a developed digestive system that allows them to break down the tough eucalyptus leave and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leave that they take on a distinctive oder from their oil that smells similar to cough drops. During the day they doze sleeping for up to 18 hours. Koalas are marsupials, so they keep their babies in a pouch for about six months.