Koala or native bear: Morphology

Phascolarctos cinereus

Skull and Teeth

Like the wombat the koala has a broad flat skull but the jaws and musculature are not as powerful. The two lower incisors are similar to those of the wombat but there are six upper incisors (three on each side). These are much smaller than in the wombat and do not grow continuously. Related to its vegetarian diet, the canines are reduced -- a tiny upper tooth on each side and no lower canines. The incisors tear at eucalypt leaves, which are very fibrous, and the molars grind them up.

Tooth formula: I 3/1; C 1/0; PM 1/1; M 4/4.

Body Shape and Size

The koala has some basic structural similarities with wombats, for example there is no tail – the koala is the only arboreal marsupial which lacks a tail. It is possible that koalas and wombats shared a common ancestry. Koalas have a dumpy body shape and short legs with powerful claws. Females are just under three quarters of a metre long, males larger and animals may weigh up to nearly 10kl (females) and over 13 kl (males). Queensland animals are notably smaller.

Comparison with other animals

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