Raymond WhitneyThe most well-known species in the world, and Australia’s most famous representative around the world is the Koala.
When people look at their adorable smiles, the very first thing that pops up in the minds of many is: are Koalas friendly? That’s a great question.
Koalas don’t like humans, even though they appear to be. These are animals that roam the wild as are many others, wild creatures, they do not want to be in contact with people.
Koalas are naturally shy and lonely animals and prefer to go about their business without other animals or people harassing them.
Are Koalas Friendly?
Despite their adorable appearance, koalas don’t seem all that friendly. In fact, it’s an untruth that they love interactions with humans.
There are a few instances of koalas who like being petted and are comfortable with a human touch. However, in those instances, they were raised by the same humans.
If the wildlife caretaker has an orphaned koala, it is expected that the animal will develop an association with the person it spends its time with.
But even a koala who’s fostered in an enclosure surrounded by wildlife caretakers won’t be able to get along with strangers.
Even though they appear at ease, they can be provoked by humans who come close to them, and they become extremely nervous.
They aren’t danger-free however, they are wild animals and if they fear being threatened, they’ll strike you.
Are Koalas Friendly With Each Other?
Koalas do not like one another and prefer a more solitary life. It’s not often, but occasionally Koalas are very aggressive towards each other’s needs, and sometimes they fight.
Koalas reside in groups of friends They don’t want to move. If they locate their home, they prefer to stay with their family.
They are territorial, yet they are respectful of the territorial boundaries of other people.
It is interesting to note that people are in groups of different social ties is intriguing. Even though they’re not friends with one another but they try to keep their distance from conflicts.
This is mostly because they want to conserve energy.
In the social group in which koalas are apart, each person in the group knows their role and what it is able to do or not do.
If Koalas don’t get along with one another, then why would they want to be with humans.
Do Koalas Like Humans?
Koalas aren’t a fan of humans, in the majority of cases that’s just as easy as that. This may sound cruel, but the fact is that koalas do not like humans.
If they had the option to not interact with humans. Wild Koalas can be quite territorial, and they’ll most likely exhibit aggressive behavior rather than friendly behavior.
Have you ever thought that koalas were slow-moving creatures that love to rest and eat eucalyptus leaves? Most of the time, they are exactly like the other animals. But, they’re not lazy.
Koalas simply lead an unhurried lifestyle due to their diet isn’t allowing them to live a frantic life. This is why they take a break throughout the day, and they chew on their favorite leaves.
When we think about their habits, it is obvious Koalas aren’t one being irritated and they don’t want to be irritated by humans in particular.
Wild koalas do not like being petted. They don’t like cuddling and will not appreciate it when you get near them. If you do encounter a koala be careful not to be too close to the animal.
Even if you are close enough, the koala is likely to discharge. Despite their life of slow pace, they can be quite quick when they spot humans who are annoying.
Do Koalas and Humans can be Friends?
Sometimes, humans and koalas are able to be the best humans and koalas can be friends. However, it is possible to do this in specific situations and isn’t an event that is typically seen.
If a baby koala turns out to be an orphan, and then a caretaker begins caring for the animal, bonds may be established between the koala as well as the human. If the koala is cared for by the caretaker, and surrounded by humans from its very first days, it will eventually get used to humans.
Even in those situations do we really believe that humans and koalas are best friends? It’s not true. Koalas are wild animal that has instincts, and will always remain a wild animal.
The relationship that’s formed between a koala and a human will never be as strong as the bond humans can create with dogs.
Can You Touch a Koala?
Never ever touch a Koala. You should also avoid touching an animal in the wild, particularly those you see when you are in nature.
A lot of videos online showcase koalas who love being petted as well as Koalas who seem to love cuddling in a relaxed afternoon.
In these videos, the koalas are frequently being touched by the humans they have grown accustomed to which is why they allow their owners to touch them.
However, they are very upset and irritable by the presence of people they do not have contact with.
If you attempt to hold a koala it could get very angry and may even chase you. They appear at peace, but in reality, they are bothered by quite a bit.
Don’t attempt to contact a koala, if you come across one.
Can a Koala Kill You?
Koalas have been reported to hunt smaller animals, even humans however it is highly unlikely that they will kill you.
They come with claws of one inch to climb trees. These claws can transform into weapons and inflict severe injury when they feel threatened.
Their bite isn’t an easy task either. Although it is unlikely that koalas actually hurt the person who bites them, they can cause wounds and infections when not treated promptly.
Most often they are the ones that are injured by other animals as well as reckless drivers.
Can You Get STD from Koala?
Although some of the most serious STDs (in humans) are derived from animals, it’s very unlikely to contract STDs from koalas.
There are two types of Chlamydia; Chlamydia pecorum is responsible for the majority of the outbreaks that occur in Queensland and, more importantly, can’t be passed on to humans.
The infection could be caused by another strain called Chlamydia pneumonia, however, only in the event that a koala with an infection would urinate on someone else, which is unlikely to occur.
How Did Koalas Acquire Chlamydia?
Koalas are endangered animals and their population has declined due to habitat loss as well as the attack of dogs, the rapid urbanization, and the most shocking of all Chlamydia.
It is unclear what caused koalas to develop Chlamydia initially However, the symptoms from the condition were observed early in the 19th century. Naturalists were unaware that it was Chlamydia.
What are the ways Koalas become Chlamydia in the present? The same way humans also get it. The infection is transmitted sexually because wild animals aren’t practicing sexually safe practices, and perhaps as a result of close contact with flying insects.
Koalas who suffer from Chlamydia have a high chance of regaining their health should they be treated early in the course that the illness is present (antibiotics or vaccine).
There is an additional group of scientists in Australia working on developing a Chlamydia vaccination for Koalas to help in the development of a human-based vaccine.
Are Koalas Lazy?
Koalas live an undemanding lifestyle. They sleep a lot and the reason for this is because their food doesn’t offer much energy and is very low in nutrients (Eucalyptus leaves).
Koalas also are able to sleep for up to 20 hours and that could be their method of dealing with extreme temperatures by lying on cooler trees.
What’s interesting is that koalas, despite having a look of a slow and lazy animal are able, if scared and distressed, to run across the ground at a speed of about 30 kph. I wouldn’t consider them lazy yet.
Final Words
Koalas are adorable and they’re a strong emblem of Australia. They appear uninterested, yet they’re sleeping for 18 hours every day due to not getting enough energy from the diets they eat. Therefore, even though they appear like an animal that is friendly, they aren’t.
They might appear like they are friendly because of their sleepy eyes and slow-moving lifestyle however in reality they are adamant about being left in peace.
The sad reality is that koalas are losing their habitats due to the constant deforestation and bushfires. In addition, their numbers are decreasing due to the same causes and illnesses.
So, if you are a fan of Koalas, and you’d like to do something for the animals, refrain from petting them, and instead make a donation to an organization trying to help them.
You have it. I hope this article has given you the answer to the question “are Koalas friendly?”
