Unlike penguins, there is only one koala species — Phascolarctos cinereus. But travel up and down Australia's east coast and the koalas change noticeably. Here is how the regional types differ, and a few myths worth busting.
The three regional types
Queensland koalas are the smallest and lightest, with shorter, silvery-grey fur suited to the warm north. New South Wales koalas sit in the middle — medium-sized with a classic grey coat. Victorian koalas are the largest and darkest, with thick, woolly fur and a browner tinge, an adaptation to the colder southern winters.
They are not bears
The biggest myth: koalas are not bears at all. They are marsupials — pouched mammals, related to kangaroos and wombats. The "koala bear" nickname stuck, but it is wrong, and wildlife fans will gently correct you.
They are not as cuddly as they look
In the wild, koalas have sharp claws for climbing and a grumpy streak when handled. The serene, huggable image comes from carefully managed sanctuary encounters. Respect the claws.
They eat almost nothing but eucalyptus
Of the hundreds of eucalyptus species, koalas favour just a handful, and their specialised gut detoxifies leaves that would poison most animals. It is one of the most extreme specialist diets in the animal kingdom.
Why it matters for gift-giving
Knowing the regional differences helps you pick the right wall art or figurine — a Victorian koala is noticeably darker and fluffier than a Queensland one. And a koala book is the perfect next step for anyone who just learned their favourite animal is not a bear.