I like koalas because they look so funny But they seem lazy, why or what are they lazy and sleep so much? Do they actually eat anything other than bamboo?
Asker: Jana, 13 years old
Answer
Dear Jana
Koals are such long sleepers because they have a very special feeding habit. Koalas only eat the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. Eucalyptus leaves are hard, high in fiber, contain few nutrients and they are also toxic to other animals. To be able to get enough nutrients from the leaves and to be able to deal with the fibers and toxins well, koalas have a very slow metabolism. They put a lot of energy into their digestion, which is why koalas sleep most of the day.
Answered by
Dr Zjef Pereboom
Zoology
Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp VZW
Queen Astridplein 26 2018 Antwerp
http://www.kmda.org/
Queen Astridplein 26 2018 Antwerp
http://www.kmda.org/
.