What Is in Eucalyptus Trees That Koalas Eat?

Koala in the wild.

The life of a Koala is a cycle of eating huge quantities of eucalyptus leaves and then sleeping up to 18 hours a day. Though toxic to most animals, the eucalyptus tree and its leaves provide both food and shelter for these marsupials from Australia.

Tree Preferences

Koalas only eat from roughly 50 of the more than 600 types of eucalyptus trees.

North and South Favorites

Koalas in the northern parts of Australia prefer forests populated with their favorite river red or forest red gum trees. Those living in southern Australia prefer the manna gum tree.

Water Needs

Koalas don't normally drink water. They get all their moisture requirements from the eucalyptus leaves.

Nutrition

Though eucalyptus leaves have a high water content, they are not very nutritious. Adult koalas must constantly feed, eating as many as 1,000 leaves per day. Their slower metabolism and sleeping habits help them conserve energy.

Toxic Leaves

Eucalyptus leaves contain toxic oils, but the koalas aren't harmed by these because of special bacteria in their stomachs that breaks the toxins down safely.

Fun Fact

A group of Benedictine monks in Italy distilled some of the eucalyptus oil and created a liqueur called Eucalitino.

References

• San Diego Zoo: Koalas
• More Info on Koala Diets
• Study on Eucalyptus Trees and the Animals that Eat Them