Information on the best known marsupials - the koala and the kangaroo

The Koala and the Kangaroo are the best know marsupials, meaning they have a pouch in which they carry their young.

Koalas' have thick wooly fur that is an ash-grey colour. Koalas' have an excellent balance and strong claws so that they can climb the trees with ease. They grow to about two feet long. When they are born they are about 3/4 of an inch. They baby Koala called a Joey lives in its mothers' pouch for six months, then rides on its back for another 6 months.

They live in the Eucalyptus trees in Australia, these trees provide them food (the leaves) and a home. The word 'Koala' meeans 'no water'. This is because Koalas' don't drink, as water is found in the Eucalyptus leaves.

Koalas' are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night.

Unfortunatley the Koala is becoming an even more endangered species.

A newborn joey suckles from a teat found within it...

Koala sleeping on a tree top

A koala climbing up a tree. Taken on the 28th of J...

Although they are now protected by law, they are often killed by cars, and for their soft fur. Many of their homes (the Eucalyptus trees) have been cut down to make space for houses. When this happens, Koalas' can get Chlamydia, as they become stressed by the loss of their homes.

The Kangaroo is the biggest of the marsupials. They can be found in Australia, New Guineau and some nearby islands. They live mainly in open country, though some live in woodlands and mountains. They travel in groups led by an old male.

They graze on grass close to the ground. Kangaroos' only go on all fours when they want to eat. The front legs are much smaller then their hind legs.

Their huge hind legs are extremely powerful, leaping up to 25 feet and at the speed of about 30 miles an hour. When they feel...