![]() Contrary to what others believe, it is not because eucalyptus makes them intoxicated. This is why you’d often see these gentle creatures moving slow and almost always, sleeping with their babies behind some tree branch. Their powerful jaws help turn these seemingly-tough fibrous leaves to a fine paste in the mouth. Their back teeth, on the other hand, are shaped in such a way that allows them to cut the leaves into tiny parts instead of just crushing them. For instance, sharp front incisors help koalas cut the leaves off of trees and branches. Their teeth, like their digestive system, are adapted to their unique diet. ![]() This is why you’d almost always find them chewing, all day, atop trees. Since eucalyptus leaves are incredibly fibrous, koalas spend most of their days chewing. It gives them the natural defenses that will allow them to eat these toxic leaves. The pap is a specialized form of droppings or some consider feces, which allow baby koalas to transition from milk to eucalyptus leaves. But what’s even more fascinating is that these microbes are also passed down from mother to baby through the pap. Special microbes found in the koalas’ digestive tracks, also help break down the poisonous chemicals in their diet. A particular organ called caecum that’s over 6 feet long (the longest in animals) helps digest fibrous eucalyptus leaves through fermentation. To process their unique diet, koalas have a specially adapted kind of digestive system. Aside from insects they can be lethal to larger animals like dogs, cats, and horses among many others. This is why eucalyptus oil is found in many insect repellant lotions and sprays. But it also contains a toxic cocktail of chemicals that are believed to serve as the plant’s protection against leaf-eating insects. Around 18% of these are composed of fiber with around 50% water. The leaves with their leathery exterior and dark green color, are heavy on fiber. These eucalyptus leaves are one of the most poisonous plants for many animals. But they are known to consume even more when they are lactating. Koalas eat around one to two pounds of these leaves each day. Out of the roughly 650 species found in Australia, they only prefer 35 of them However, koalas only eat certain species of eucalyptus. Numerous varieties of eucalyptus trees are found in Australia. They grow in tropical and temperate environments in the southern hemisphere. Their diet is composed mainly of eucalyptus leaves from eucalyptus trees commonly called gum trees. But what may come as a surprise is that these gentle creatures are among the only few who can safely consume leaves that are toxic to many animals. One of Australia’s most iconic animals is known the world over for their cute faces and soft fur.
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