Latest news with #Koalas
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Discover the 8 laziest animals on Earth from giant pandas to koala
Some animals are true experts when it comes to taking it slow and enjoying a life of relaxation. While many creatures spend their days hunting, exploring or working hard to survive,these animals prefer to lounge, rest and conserve energy. These laid-back animals have mastered the art of chilling out and are showing us that relaxation is just as important in the natural world. From sleepy sloths hanging in trees to giant pandas, these creatures remind us that sometimes slowing down and enjoying calm moments is key to a balanced life. Let's explore some animals that are lazy all day. Nature's most relaxing animals Cuckoos Cuckoos are known for their calm and relaxed behavior and often spend much of their day resting quietly in trees. Unlike many birds that are constantly active in searching for their food, cuckoos take a laid-back approach as they conserve their energy for the times they need it most. Their easy-going lifestyle helps them stay alert while avoiding unnecessary stress. This relaxed nature is part of what makes cuckoos fascinating as they balance periods of rest with bursts of activity and showing that even in the wild, taking time to relax is important. Source: Wikipedia Giant pandas Giant pandas are famous for their slow and relaxed lifestyle as they prefer to spend much of their day resting or eating bamboo. These gentle giants often lounge in the forest, conserving energy by moving slowly and taking frequent naps. Pandas don't rush instead, they enjoy calm moments and a peaceful pace, which helps them to stay healthy and stress-free. Their laid-back nature makes them perfect examples of animals that love to relax all day by showing that sometimes taking it easy is the best way to thrive in the wild. Source: Wikipedia Koala Koalas are well-known for their incredibly relaxed lifestyle as they spend up to 18–20 hours a day sleeping or resting in the branches of eucalyptus trees. Their slow movements and long naps helps in conserving energy since their diet of eucalyptus leaves is low in nutrients. Koalas are masters of relaxation, and take life at a slow pace and enjoy plenty of quiet downtime. This calm and restful way of living makes them one of the animal kingdom's ultimate chillers by proving that sometimes, the key to survival is simply knowing when to relax. Source: Wikipedia Slow lorises Slow lorises are famous for their gentle and slow-moving lifestyle as they spend much of their time resting quietly in trees. These nocturnal primates move deliberately and take long breaks to conserve energy. Their calm and unhurried behavior helps them avoid predators and stay safe in their natural habitat. Slow lorises show us how slowing down and relaxing can be an important part of survival. Their peaceful and laid-back nature makes them perfect examples of animals that love to relax all day while staying alert to the world around them. Source: Wikipedia Sloth Sloths are the ultimate champions of relaxation and are known for their incredible slow movements and spending most of their time hanging quietly in trees. They sleep up to 15–20 hours a day and conserve energy by moving only when necessary. Their slow pace helps them avoid predators and live a calm and stress-free life in the rainforest. Sloths remind us that taking it slow and enjoying plenty of rest is not only natural but essential. Their laid-back lifestyle makes them one of the best examples of animals that truly love to relax all day. Source: Wikipedia Turtles Turtles are known for their slow and steady way of life, and they often spend long hours resting and moving at a relaxed pace. Whether on land or in water, turtles take their time to conserve energy by moving slowly and basking in the sun. Their calm behavior helps them to stay safe and avoid unnecessary stress. Many turtles enjoy long periods of quiet relaxation which makes them excellent examples of animals that love to take it easy throughout the day. Their slow lifestyle shows us the value of patience and peaceful living in the natural world. Source: Wikipedia Hippos Hippos are well-known for their love of relaxing in water and they spend much of their day submerged in rivers or lakes to keep cool and comfortable. Despite their large size, they move slowly and calmly, often lounging in groups and resting for hours. Hippos conserve energy by staying mostly still during the day and becoming more active at night. Their peaceful and laid-back lifestyle makes them one of the animal kingdom's great relaxers which shows that even the biggest creatures know how to take it easy and enjoy calm moments. Source: Wikipedia Opossums Opossums are known for their quiet and restful lifestyle as they often spend much of the day curled up and sleeping in safe and hidden spots. As nocturnal animals, they conserve energy by resting during daylight hours and becoming active at night. Their slow and calm behavior helps them avoid danger and stay alert when needed. Opossums show us how important rest is in the wild that makes them great examples of animals that love to relax and recharge throughout the day. Source: Wikipedia Also read: 6 animals on Earth that have a special connection with humans
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Animal sleep habits and energy conservation explained
Koalas sleep up to 22 hours daily to conserve energy due to their low-nutrient eucalyptus leaf diet, aiding slow digestion.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Which animal has fingerprints closest to the humans?
In the dense eucalyptus forests of Australia, a small, slow-moving marsupial harbors a biological secret so strange that it has puzzled scientists and even threatened to mislead crime scene investigators. Koalas, the cuddly icons of Down Under, possess fingerprints that are astonishingly similar to those of humans. So much so that even under a microscope, experts have difficulty telling them apart. This remarkable discovery has not only captivated biologists and evolutionary theorists but has also sparked curiosity among forensic scientists. How can a creature so evolutionarily distant from humans develop such an intricate and human-like trait? The answer lies in a fascinating process called convergent evolution. A matter of touch: The role of fingerprints Fingerprints are not just unique personal identifiers. They serve a vital biological function. In humans, these rigid patterns improve our grip and enhance our sense of touch. The same principle applies to koalas. Koalas spend nearly all their lives climbing and clinging to trees. Their primary diet of eucalyptus leaves is found high in the canopy, and survival depends on being agile and adept at navigating branches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Their fingertips, complete with whorls, arches, and loops much like our own, help them grasp limbs and leaves with precision. What is striking is that koalas developed these fingerprints independently of humans and primates. In evolutionary terms, koalas and humans diverged from a common ancestor around 70 to 80 million years ago. At that time, fingerprints did not exist in either lineage. That both species ended up with such similar patterns is a textbook example of convergent evolution, where different organisms evolve similar traits as they adapt to similar challenges. Forensic confusion: Koalas at the crime scene? As amusing as it sounds, koala fingerprints have posed a theoretical challenge in forensic science. If a koala were ever to wander into a crime scene, its prints could, in theory, be mistaken for those of a human. The ridges on koala fingertips follow the same complex structure found in human prints, so detailed that even high-resolution forensic scanners could be fooled without context. According to Professor Maciej Henneberg, a biological anthropologist at the University of Adelaide, koala fingerprints are so similar to humans' that even fingerprint experts struggle to tell them apart. 'Koala prints can easily be mistaken for human ones,' he says. 'And that's remarkable given how distant we are, evolutionarily speaking.' Of course, the chances of a koala interfering with police investigations are slim. But this scenario raises interesting questions about how we interpret physical evidence and the assumptions we make about it. Other animals with fingerprints Koalas are not entirely alone in the animal kingdom when it comes to fingerprints. Other primates, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, also have fingerprint ridges similar to humans. This is less surprising considering our shared ancestry. What makes the koala case so exceptional is that it is not a primate. It is a marsupial, a branch of mammals that includes kangaroos and wombats. Koalas are the only known marsupials to have fingerprints this complex. Even among other animals with tactile sensitivity, like raccoons or opossums, none show the same fingerprint precision as koalas and primates. Some animals, such as cats or dogs, have paw pads with texture, but not the highly defined, unique ridge patterns that fingerprints are known for. Why evolution bothered with prints Evolution does not develop traits for no reason. It selects features that improve survival and reproduction. In the case of koalas, living high in the trees, foraging on slippery eucalyptus leaves, and gripping narrow branches would all benefit from better tactile perception. Fingerprints, by improving grip and increasing sensitivity to texture, offer an evolutionary advantage in such an environment. Interestingly, the fingerprints of koalas are most pronounced on their second and third fingers, which they use the most for climbing and grasping. The rest of their hands, including their opposable digits, play supporting roles, similar to how humans use their thumbs and fingers together. Nature's mirror: A shared trait across time The story of koala fingerprints is a reminder of how nature often finds similar solutions to similar problems. That two species, separated by millions of years and with vastly different lifestyles, could develop such a detailed trait is a testament to the power of evolution. It also challenges our assumptions about uniqueness. We often view fingerprints as a human identifier, almost sacred in their individuality. Yet, as it turns out, a quiet creature nestled in an Australian gum tree may just leave behind a clue that looks eerily like our own.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inaccurate koala 'mass slaughter' claims spread online
"LABOR mass slaughtered over 1,000 endangered Koalas in Victoria last week," reads part of a Facebook post shared on May 3, 2025. "Wildlife experts were not consulted. Gov agencies need to work with wildlife experts to ensure the best outcomes for our native animals." The post was shared as polls opened in Australia's federal election with voters deciding between incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party and challenger Peter Dutton's conservative coalition (archived link). "A vote for Labor, Greens or any party that preferences Labor is a vote for more native wildlife massacres," the post adds above a picture of two dead koalas lying on a blue tarp. Similar posts were shared elsewhere on Facebook and X weeks after local media reported that hundreds of koalas had been euthanised after a lightning strike sparked a bushfire in Victoria's Budj Bim National Park (archived here and here). "They are a national treasure. This is an abomination," read a comment on one of the posts. Another said: "This government has an agenda to destroy our wildlife and their habitats." The social media posts, however, make no mention of the fire or its impact on the koalas and contradict statements from Victoria's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The agency said the fire burnt 2,200 hectares, including a large area of manna gum canopy which is one of the main food sources for koalas in the park (archived link). The toy-like animals have limited ability to flee fire zones and are vulnerable to burns and respiratory system injuries from heated air and smoke, it said. Euthanasia "was the humane action to take to prevent further suffering," James Todd, DEECA's chief biodiversity officer, told AFP in a May 20 email. He explained an aerial assessment was conducted because of the terrain, remote location of the koalas, and safety risks, and this approach was "informed by an experienced vet and some of Australia's leading wildlife welfare ethics experts". Todd added that an assessment conducted by a wildlife vet "showed that all koalas assessed and euthanised by the aerial team during the trial were in very poor health and would have continued to suffer in a deteriorating state of welfare if they had remained alive". Wildlife Victoria, a non-profit organisation that provides emergency service across the state, also told AFP: "It is not appropriate to have wildlife suffering for weeks." "It is sadly the outcome that in the aftermath of bushfires there is often substantive loss of wildlife life," the organisation said in a May 20 email, adding they were not involved in DEECA's consultation process though they were "briefed on what was happening". "Euthanasia is often the kindest course of action for wildlife that are burnt and suffering extensive injuries." A reverse image search on Google found the picture used alongside the misleading posts was taken more than a decade earlier for a National Geographic story (archived link). The story from the May 2012 edition is titled "Racing to Rescue Koalas" and the photo is credited to Joel Sartore. Sartore, who is also a National Geographic Explorer, told AFP on May 20: "I can confirm that the photo... is a cropped version of a photo I took while on assignment for National Geographic." He said he took the photo in October 2011 for a larger story "about volunteers in Queensland who were working to rescue and rehabilitate trapped or injured koalas". His photo shows over a dozen koalas who were all killed by cars or dogs in a single week (archived link).
AFP
22-05-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Inaccurate koala 'mass slaughter' claims spread online
"LABOR mass slaughtered over 1,000 endangered Koalas in Victoria last week," reads part of a Facebook post shared on May 3, 2025. " experts were not consulted. Gov agencies need to work with wildlife experts to ensure the best outcomes for our native animals." The post was shared as polls opened in with voters deciding between incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party and challenger Peter Dutton's conservative coalition (archived link). "A vote for Labor, Greens or any party that preferences Labor is a vote for more native wildlife massacres," the post adds above a picture of two dead koalas lying on a blue tarp. Image Screenshot of the misleading Facebook post taken May 22, 2025 on Facebook and X weeks after of koalas had been euthanised after a lightning strike sparked a bushfire in Victoria's Budj Bim National Park (archived here and here). "They are a national treasure. This is an abomination," read a comment on one of the posts. Another said: "This government has an agenda to destroy our wildlife and their habitats." The social media posts, however, make no mention of the fire or its impact on the koalas and contradict statements from Victoria's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). 'Kindest course of action' The agency said the fire burnt 2,200 hectares, including a large area of manna gum canopy which is one of the main food sources for koalas in the park (archived link). have limited ability to flee fire zones and are vulnerable to burns and respiratory system injuries from heated air and smoke, it said. Euthanasia "was the humane action to take to prevent further suffering," , DEECA's chief biodiversity officer, told AFP in a May 20 email. He explained an aerial assessment was conducted because of the terrain, remote location of the koalas, and safety risks, and this approach was "informed by an experienced vet and some of Australia's leading wildlife welfare ethics experts". Todd added that an assessment conducted by a wildlife vet "showed that all koalas assessed and euthanised by the aerial team during the trial were in very poor health and would have continued to suffer in a deteriorating state of welfare if they had remained alive". Wildlife Victoria, a non-profit organisation that provides emergency service across the state, also told AFP: "It is not appropriate to have wildlife suffering for weeks." "It is sadly the outcome that in the aftermath of bushfires there is often substantive loss of wildlife life," the organisation said in a May 20 email, adding they were not involved in DEECA's consultation process though they were "briefed on what was happening". "Euthanasia is often the kindest course of action for wildlife that are burnt and suffering extensive injuries." Misused photo A reverse image search on Google found the picture used alongside the misleading posts was taken more than a decade earlier for a National Geographic story (archived link). The edition is titled "Racing to Rescue Koalas" and the photo is credited to Joel Sartore. Image Screenshot comparison of the misleadingly shared image (left) and the National Geographic photo from its May 2012 edition (right) Sartore, who is also a National Geographic Explorer, told AFP on May 20: "I can confirm that the photo... is a cropped version of a photo I took while on assignment for National Geographic." He said he took the photo in October 2011 for a larger story "about volunteers in Queensland who were working to rescue and rehabilitate trapped or injured koalas". His photo shows over a dozen koalas who were all killed by cars or dogs in a single week (archived link).
