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Why People Love Koalas — The Appeal of the Sleepy Marsupial

Why koalas are so beloved: the teddy-bear looks, the legendary naps, the mother-and-joey bond and a very Australian kind of calm.

The Koala Shop··1 min read

Koalas look like living teddy bears, and that alone would be enough to win hearts. But there is more to the appeal than a cute face — koalas carry a whole personality that people find irresistible.

They look huggable because they basically are

Round fluffy ears, a big leathery nose, soft grey fur and a stocky build — a koala is shaped like the toy version of itself. It is no accident that the koala plush is the best-selling kind of stuffed animal in the world.

They sleep almost all the time

Koalas snooze 18 to 22 hours a day. Eucalyptus leaves are low in energy and mildly toxic, so koalas conserve every calorie by napping. There is something deeply relatable about an animal whose entire brand is "I would rather be asleep."

The mother-and-joey bond

A baby koala (a joey) is born tiny and undeveloped, finishes growing in its mother's pouch, and then rides on her back for months. The sight of a joey clinging to its mother is one of the most-shared images in all of wildlife.

They are an icon

The koala is as tied to Australia as the kangaroo. It appears on coins, in tourism campaigns and in countless children's books. That cultural presence makes a piece of koala wall art feel like a little souvenir of a place people love.

They need our help

Koalas are listed as vulnerable, threatened by habitat loss and disease. Loving them and supporting their conservation go hand in hand — which makes a koala gift feel like a small gesture for a good cause.

Browse the shop to find your favourite way to celebrate them.

How we pick: Every product in our guides is a real, in-stock item we have vetted for quality and genuine koala-ness. Prices and availability are pulled live from Amazon and can change. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

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