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Koala
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Koalas are broadly similar in appearance to the wombat (their closest living relative), but have a thicker, softer coat, much larger ears, and longer limbs, which are equipped with large, sharp claws to assist with climbing. Weight varies from about 14 kg for a large, southern male, to about 5 kg for a small northern female. They are generally silent, but male koalas have a very loud advertising call (a nasal snort that human children delight in imitating) that can be heard from almost a kilometre away during the breeding season. There is little reliable information about the lifespan of koalas. However, in captivity they have been observed to reach the age of 15 years.
Koalas live almost entirely on eucalyptus leaves. This is likely to be an evolutionary adaptation that takes advantage of an otherwise unfilled ecological niche, since eucalyptus leaves are low in protein, high in indigestible substances, and contain phenolic and terpene compounds that are toxic to most species. Like wombats and sloths, koalas have a very low metabolic rate for a mammal (which conserves energy) and rest motionless for about 20 hours a day, sleeping most of that time. They feed at any time of day, but usually at night. An average koala eats 500 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day, chewing them in their powerful jaws to a very fine paste before swallowing. The liver deactivates the toxic components ready for excretion, and the hind gut (especially the caecum) is greatly enlarged to extract the maximum amount of nutrient from the poor quality diet. Much of this is done through bacterial fermentation: when young koalas are being weaned, the mother passes unusually soft feces rich in these bacteria to pass these essential digestive aids onto her offspring.
Female koalas are solitary and occupy distinct home ranges that they rarely leave. In the more fertile areas, these ranges overlap; in areas where suitable food trees are scarce they tend to be larger and more exclusive. Males are not territorial, but do not tolerate one another, particularly not during the breeding season: dominant individuals attack subordinate ones, and most adult males carry scars on their face, ears and forearms as a result. |
Athila, marhowie, Luc has marked this note useful
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Wonderful image of the koala. You have great detail on the fur and excellent DOF. Too bad the koala is not looking up. Well done!
Alli
- Athila
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 310 W: 238 N: 421]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1503) - [2005-11-30 23:08]
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Very nice Koalo picture Toni!
Sharp and well exposed. POV is good. Composition is also excellent. I like the tight cropping but I would have prefer its back not touching the edge of the picture. May your original was ok.
Great shot and TFS.
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- jossim
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(11878) - [2005-11-30 23:09]
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Un très joli spécimen,on a juste envie de le prendre dans nos bras et de l'embrasser. Félicitations pour les détails et la bonne exposition.
Merci Toni!
Hello Toni!
Long time...
So cute and wonderful photo! Koalas are just sweet!
It woluld be great to have one :-)))
Just points, not much time, sorry - Xplorator
Sharp detail and and excellent pose Toni. Well composed (just a bit tight) with good exposure and color. A pity the OOF branches got between you and your subject here but a minor nit. Excellent note & Well done!
Thank You.
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- Luc
(14713)
- [2006-01-26 20:44]
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Very good.
Thank you, Toni.
Sorry, I have no time these days to write complete comments.
Very well done. Well deserved icon.
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- KellEy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 188 W: 18 N: 85]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(700) - [2006-03-03 23:19]
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What a koala won't do for food!
I like this moment, it's moody. I almost feel scared he'll fall.
Great lighting here too!
