Trees Are Natural Air Conditioners for Over-Heated Koalas
Scientists have conducted a study where they tracked Koala movements in parts of Australia using radio collars. These collars allowed them to receive GPS signals regarding their locations as well as their body temperature and other health factors. It also provided them with a very intriguing question. They noticed that most of the signals being received from the koalas in the summer months were coming from the base section of trees. A side study observing some 130 other koalas on trees also showed the same results. The koalas were sticking the lower portions of the trees rather than the higher portions. Using thermal technology it revealed that this was because the lower, base portion of the trees was actually the coolest. It's temperature was much lower than the limbs of the tree, and even the surrounding air. Even though the scientists have came up with a theory about why koalas hugged trees so much, they needed to test their theory. Using an equation based on an average male koala and how much fur it has, they figured out that a 25-pound male koala can lose 68 percent of its body heat by hugging a tree; which in the outback, can mean life or death for the creature.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooRTS_06Qz8 - This link is to a you-tube video that further explains why koalas hug trees so much. I chose this video because it was very similar in content to the article, making it a credible source, as well as another source that can be used to understand and teach why koalas cling to trees in the summer months of the year.
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