Koalas must limit their energy

Because they get so little energy from their diet, koalas must limit their energy use and sleep or rest 20 hours a day.[63][64] They are predominantly acti

ve at night and spend most of their waking hours feeding. They typically eat and sleep in the same tree, possibly for as long as a day.[65] On very

hot days, a koala may climb down to the coolest part of the tree which is cooler than the surrounding air. The koala hugs the tree to lose heat without panting.[66][67] On warm days, a koala may rest with its back against a branch or lie on its st

omach or back with its limbs dangling.[63] During cold, wet periods, it curls itself into a tight ball to conserve energy.[65] On windy days, a koala finds a lower, thicker branch on which to rest. While it spends most of the time in the tree, the animal descends to the groun

d to move to another tree, walking on all fours.[63] The koala usually grooms itself with its hindpaws, but sometimes uses its forepaws or mouth.[68]