Recognise and understand
Rounded, fluffy ears, thick grey fur and a pale chest make a koala easy to recognise. It is a marsupial, with a joey developing in its mother's pouch. Koalas spend much of their time resting and feeding in trees.
Habitat and behaviour
Koalas live in eucalypt forests across parts of eastern and south-eastern Australia. They eat leaves from particular eucalypt species, rather than every gum tree they encounter. Much of the moisture in their normal diet comes from those leaves.
Koalas are generally solitary. During breeding, the male's loud bellow is one of the sounds you may notice around habitat.
Living alongside koalas
A koala on the ground may be travelling between trees. NSW guidance identifies August to February as a time of increased movement during breeding. Give an animal space instead of following it for a closer photograph.
Keep dogs on leads near habitat and indoors at night. Drive cautiously around koala signs, especially at dawn, dusk and after dark. If an animal appears sick, injured or distressed, contact a licensed wildlife rescue group promptly. Oz Wildlife provides information and does not run a rescue service.