This is (of course) a Koala. It is not under any circumstances a bear. It's a marsupial, which strangely enough is more closely related to the Wombat than other marsupials.
They do spend a lot of time doing not a lot, but this is because they are fermenting a gut full of leaves to allow gut bacteria to turn the nutrient poor leaves into something rather more valuable.
I may have mentioned this before, but they are the only vertebrate whose brain does not fill the cranium - and they grey matter is prevented from bouncing about but a kind of jelly like substance! The truth of the matter is that when you are inactive for 20 of 24 hours you don't need to be that smart!
You can find more shots for creatures from around the world at Saturday Critters.
so very cute. :)
ReplyDeleteAh, but the four hours they are active . . . well, cuteness must count for a lot. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little bugger he is indeed and such a fun shot, Stewart!! Caught him doing what he does best -- sleep!!
ReplyDeletebut being that inactive...you better be cute...good thing they are
ReplyDeleteFascinating information! This is a really great shot.
ReplyDeleteHe sure is cute and cuddly looking!
ReplyDeleteNeat photo and interesting facts!
ReplyDeleteInactive or not, they are the cutest of the cutes so don't need them to be smart. Don't you wonder what their creater had in mind for them? Did he leave something out, not have time to finish or was he just shooting for cute? If this were the only thing that was only in Australia, I would still come to see them ... and you, of course:)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
There are a fair amount of politicians out there whose brain does not fill the cranium also. Sorry, but I couldn't resist. You left the door wide open Stewart.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture of this Koala, looks cute.
Best regards, Irma
Not smart, but SOOO cute! :-) I suppose they don't have many natural predators? Otherwise, sleeping would be a danger, I would think.
ReplyDelete(I like John @ Sinbad blog's comment too, by the way...got a morning chuckle)
Oh my - such an adorable shot!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cutie!
ReplyDeleteHe might not be briliant, but he sure is cute! (I have known a few people like that too.)
ReplyDeleteThey might not be overly clever but their cuteness more than makes up for it. Sweet shot.
ReplyDeletei keep hearing a google commercial that talks about how much they sleep. i wonder how they never some energy & climb like a crazy bear. ha. ha!! ( :
ReplyDeleteI wondered if they really lived out in the wild:)
ReplyDelete