AdaptationsAn adaptation is the characteristic of an organism that allows it to survive. There are three types of adaptations: structural, physiological and behavioral. Structural adaptations are physical characteristics, physiological adaptations are related to the internal functions of the body, while behavioral adaptations refer to how organisms respond to stimuli (Beavis 2014). This article will discuss some adaptations that help koalas and eucalyptus trees survive in their environments. Part One: Koala (Pet Setter nd) Koalas, native Australians, have the scientific name "Phascolarctos cinereus", which means "ash gray pouch bear". They are sometimes called koalas due to their resemblance to bears. However, they are not related to each other. Instead, koalas are related to other marsupials, such as kangaroos and wombats. Being a marsupial means that females have a pouch for newborns. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that there are fewer than 80,000 koalas left in Australia (Australian Koala Foundation n.d.). Koalas are arboreal mammals, meaning they live in trees. They live on eucalyptus trees and feed on their leaves, which are poisonous to most animals. The choice of a koala's home depends on two main factors: the presence of other koalas and eucalyptus trees. They may eat the leaves of other trees, but this usually only happens when eucalyptus leaves are absent (Crawford n.d.). Wild koalas are mainly found along the Australian east coast and South Australia, as shown on the map. (Australian Koala Foundation n.d.) Structural Adaptations Koalas have pear-shaped bodies that help them balance and position themselves in the forks of trees. They also have short tails and long limbs which help in... middle of paper......p://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/Euclid/sample/html/ learn.htm# evolution>Crawford, C nd, The Physiology of Koalas, Davidson College, viewed 22 May 2014,Glasgow, E 2011, Eucalyptus dives, University of Wisconsin, viewed 23 May 2014,PBS nd, Eucalyptus Tree, PBS, viewed 24 May 2014,Pet Setter nd, Koala Pet Setter, Pet Setter, viewed 22 May 2014,Sheppard, H 2007, Eucalypts, Australian Government, viewed 23 May 2014,The Koala 2009, Koala, The Koala, viewed 23 May 2014,