BC-066 - Koala Skull

Koalas are arboreal herbivores that occupy eastern Australia. While they resemble bears, they are marsupials; mammals that give birth to live young that finish development in its mother’s pouch. Once numbering in the millions in their native Australia, there are now less than 10,000 of the fuzzy eared marsupials remaining in the wild. Living most of their life in eucalyptus trees, their preferred food are nutrient-deficient eucalyptus leaves and must eat large quantities to extract enough nourishment for sustenance. Their strong jaws and teeth can chew the tough leaves into a fine paste for efficient digestion. Koalas have evolved a large nose and sensitive olfactory system to enable them to sniff out and choose only the most nutritious leaves.

2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw)