It
is the only
extant
representative of the family
Phascolarctidae, and
its closest living relatives are the
wombats.
[3] The koala is found in coastal areas
of the mainland's eastern and southern regions, inhabiting
Queensland,
New South Wales,
Victoria and
South Australia. It is
easily recognisable by its stout, tailless body; round, fluffy ears; and large,
spoon-shaped nose. The koala has a body length of 60–85 cm (24–33 in)
and weighs 4–15 kg (9–33 lb).
Pelage colour ranges from silver
grey to chocolate brown. Koalas from the northern populations are typically
smaller and lighter in colour than their counterparts further south. It is
possible that these populations are separate
subspecies, but this is
disputed.The
koala (
Phascolarctos cinereus or, inaccurately,
koala bear[a]) is an
arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to
Australia.