The koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and is recognised worldwide as an iconic symbol of the country because of its distinctive appearance. It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae and its closest living relatives are the wombats. It is easily recognisable by its stout, tailless body, round, fluffy ears and large, spoon-shaped nose. It is popularly known as the koala bear because of its bear-like appearance. The koala has a body length of 60–85 cm (24–33 in) and weighs 4–15 kg (9–33 lb). Pelage colour ranges from silver grey to chocolate brown. Koalas typically inhabit open Eucalyptus woodlands, and the leaves of these trees make up most of their diet. Because this eucalypt diet provides them with only low nutrition and energy, koalas are largely sedentary and sleep for up to 20 hours a day. They are asocial animals, and bonding only exists between mothers and dependent offspring. They have few natural predators and parasites but are threatened by various pathogens, as well as by bushfires and droughts. The biggest threat to their existence is habitat destruction due to agriculture and urbanisation.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1819:

Fifteen people were killed and 400–700 others were injured when cavalry charged into a crowd of about 60–80,000 who were gathered at St Peter's Field, Manchester, England, to demand the reform of parliamentary representation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterloo_Massacre

1863:

After Spain had annexed the Dominican Republic, rebels raised the Dominican flag in Santiago de los Caballeros to begin the War of Restoration. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Restoration_War

1929:

A long-running dispute between Muslims and Jews over access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem escalated into a week-long period of violent riots throughout Palestine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Palestine_riots

1960:

Joseph Kittinger parachuted from a balloon over New Mexico at 102,800 feet (31,330 m), setting records for high-altitude jump, free- fall height, and fastest speed by a human without an aircraft. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger

1977:

Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock and Roll", was officially pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, after he was found unresponsive on the floor of his Graceland bathroom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

nowise: (In) no way, (in) no manner, definitely not. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nowise

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Liberality consists less in giving a great deal than in gifts well timed.   --Jean de La Bruyère https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jean_de_La_Bruy%C3%A8re