What do koalas eat?

The koala lives almost entirely on eucalypt leaves but sometimes some non-eucalypt species (such as Acacia and Melaleuca).   The koala will demonstrate preferences for particular varieties of eucalypt and these vary from one region to another.

Interestingly, there is a theory that the eucalypt diet is an evolutionary adaptation that takes advantage of an otherwise unfilled ecological niche, since eucalypt leaves are low in protein, high in indigestible substances, and contain compounds that are toxic to most species.  To digest the harsh leaves, the koala has developed a special intestinal chamber called the caecum.  This may be as long as 2 m, and contains bacteria which ferment the leaves and help make them more digestible.

See the KoalaTracker Links page for resources on what trees koalas eat in various areas. It is not true that koalas don't drink water, as many photos on this site from members of the KoalaTracker community show. See photos of koalas drinking water.

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