The koala is between 61 and 85 cm and weighs between 4 and 14 kg, for the type species.The measurements and proportions of an adult animal depend on age, sex, food and region.In cooler climates, koalas are usually larger.In Victoria, adult males can reach up to 14 kg, females up to 11 kg.The average weight of animals from the northern regions is lower: males reach 12 kg, females 8 kg.The Queensland koalas are generally smaller, the average weight of males reaches 8 kg, and the females 6 kg. Their paws are provided with long claws.To grip the branches and climb the trees, the thumb and index finger of the forelegs move away from the other three fingers and form with them a kind of forceps. On the hind legs, only the big toe is separated from the other fingers.Each leg is protected by flexible and resistant pads. It is one of the few animals, with the primates, to have fingerprints. The koala has a woolly brown-silver-gray fur, which it maintains regularly, allowing rainwater to bead as On the plumage of a duck. This color allows it to go unnoticed among the branches of eucalyptus.Koalas have a very fresh smell that lice, fleas, or other parasites, can not stand; This odor is that contained in eucalyptus leaves.The koala is an excellent climber. It jumps from branch to branch, or goes from tree to tree.When the foliage is too dense, it descends and trot to the next tree. But on the ground, the koala is slow and left: he must be wary of cars or dogs, foxes ...The koala can also swim without difficulty; Robust and resistant, they generally survive the floods.
