Koala

:This article is about the animal. For the computer game, see Coala.

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The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus; sometimes also spelled Phascolarctus cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore endemic to Australia, and the only representative of its family, Phascolarctidae.

Related Topics:
Marsupial - Herbivore - Australia - Family

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The koala's scientific name comes from the Greek: phaskolos meaning "pouch" and; arktos meaning "bear". The cinereus part is Latin and means "ash-colored". Some people refer to the koala as a koala bear—this is technically incorrect, since koala is not part of the bear family. The word "koala" comes from an aboriginal word meaning "does not drink".

Related Topics:
Greek - Latin - Aboriginal

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Koalas are found all along the eastern coast of Australia from near Adelaide to the base of the Cape York Peninsula, and as far into the hinterland as there is enough rainfall to support suitable forest. The koalas of South Australia were exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock.

Related Topics:
Adelaide - Cape York Peninsula - Hinterland - South Australia - 20th century - Victoria

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