KOALA

The koala or, inaccurately, koala bear is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae and its closest living relatives are the wombats, which are members of the family Vombatidae.

Koalas are not bears—they're marsupials. Learn about koalas' unique traits, including six opposable "thumbs,"downward-facing pouches, and a tendency to sleep nearly all day in tree branches.

Koalas are docile and love to be petted and cuddled. Like most wild animals, they prefer to have no contact with humans at all.