Traci Branigan, age 8, of Rock Island, I11, for her question:

IS THE KOALA A BEAR?

Although it resembles a teddy bear, the koala is definitely not a bear. It is sometimes called a native sloth because it is very slow moving, but it isn't a slot either. A Koala is a marsupial, or a mammal that has a pouch for carrying its young. '

The koala is a native Australian that is about 24 inches longand about 12 inches high at the shoulders. It has only a suggestion of a tail. It has thick fur that is ash gray above and yellowish white below. it has a short snout and a button like nose.

Eucalyptus leaves and buds make up the koala's diet. It can grasp the branches of the eucalyptus trees    easily with its long toes and hang with its back downward.     

A mother koala carries her baby in her pouch for several months after it is born. The baby, called a cub, is carried on the mother's back when it gets a bit older.