The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial, that lives almost entirely on eucalypt leaves. It is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula however populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. br/br/Sometime referred to as a koala bear, this is incorrect as it is not a bear at all - the closest living relative to the koala is the wombat. Like wombats and sloths, the koala has a very low metabolic rate rests motionless for about 16 to 18 hours a day, sleeping most of that time.