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The koala feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of selected species of the eucalyptus (Australian gum) tree. Its diet affects many of its characteristics.

The koala feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of selected species of the eucalyptus (Australian gum) tree. Its diet affects many of its characteristics.

The eucalyptus leaf contains most of the water that the koala needs. It is commonly claimed that this attribute gave the animal its name, supposedly from an [[Aborigine|Aboriginal]] word meaning "no drink"; however, this is not conclusively established.{{fact}}<!-- The only place I found this questioned was Wikipedia -->

The eucalyptus leaf contains most of the water that the koala needs. It is commonly claimed that this attribute gave the animal its name, supposedly from an [[Aborigine|Aboriginal]] word meaning "no drink".<ref>http://www.thekoala.com/koala</ref>

The eucalyptus is unpalatable to other animals because of its high phenol and terpene content. The koala is immune to these toxins, which are stored in its fat cells.{{fact}} The effect of this is that the koala is unpalatable to predators.{{fact}} When a koala dies it is quite common for the corpse to become mummified due to the anti-bacterial properties of the phenol.{{fact}}

The eucalyptus is unpalatable to other animals because of its high phenol and terpene content. The Koala's digestive system is especially adapted to detoxify the poisonous chemicals in the leaves. The effect of this is that the koala is unpalatable to predators.{{fact}} When a koala dies it is quite common for the corpse to become mummified due to the anti-bacterial properties of the phenol.{{fact}}

== References ==

== References ==