📖 Reading Passage: Meet the Koala

Koalas are one of Australia's most famous animals. These cute, fluffy creatures are not actually bears, even though many people call them "koala bears." They are marsupials, which means baby koalas grow up in their mum's pouch, just like kangaroos!

Koalas live high up in eucalyptus trees, also called gum trees. They have strong claws that help them climb and hold onto branches. Their thick, grey fur keeps them warm and dry when it rains. Koalas have big, round noses that help them smell which leaves are the best to eat.

These sleepy animals spend most of their day napping - about 18 to 22 hours! When they wake up, they munch on eucalyptus leaves. Koalas are very picky eaters and will only eat certain types of eucalyptus leaves. They get most of their water from these leaves, so they don't need to drink much water. In fact, the word "koala" comes from an Aboriginal word that means "no drink."

Baby koalas are called joeys. When they are born, they are tiny - only about 2 centimetres long! The joey stays safe in mum's pouch for about six months. After that, it rides on mum's back until it's big enough to live on its own.

Koalas live in the wild along Australia's east coast, from Queensland down to Victoria. Sadly, there are not as many koalas as there used to be because their forest homes are being cut down. We need to protect these special Australian animals so future children can see them too.

Next time you see a koala, remember - it's not a bear, it loves to sleep, and it's one of Australia's most treasured animals!

🤔 Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer Questions

Koalas are not bears - they are _____________ because baby koalas grow up in their mum's _____________.