Ecology and behaviour

Ecology and behaviour

Walking on ground

The koala’s geographic range covers roughly 1,000,000 km2 (390,000 sq mi), and 30 ecoregions.[53] It extends throughout eastern and southeastern Australia, encompassing northeastern, central and southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria, and southeaste

rn South Australia. The koala was introduced near Adelaide and on several islands, including Kangaroo Island and French Island.[1] The population on Magnetic Island represents the northern limit of its range.[53] Fossil evidence shows that the koala’s range stretched as far

west as southwestern Western Australia during the late Pleistocene. They were likely driven to extinction in these areas by environmental changes and hunting by Indigenous Australians.[54] In South Australia, koalas were extirpated by the early 20th century and subsequently reintroduced.[55] Koalas can be found in habitats ranging from relatively open forests to woodlands, and in clima

tes ranging from tropical to cool temperate.[31] In semi-arid climates, they prefer riparian habitats, where nearby streams and creeks provide refuge during times of drought and extreme heat.[56]