Koala by Camdyn Berwager

The variation between much body fat and little body fat can lead to natural selection. Koalas with smaller amounts of body fat (like the ones in Northern Australia) might struggle in the colder weather. This could cause certain species to die out. Southern koalas on the other hand have a lot more body fat then their brothers and sisters to the North. Due to the fact that they have a better chance of survival because of increased body fat, natural selection is less likely to take them out.

Environment

cb982 — 2024-04-19 18:22:17 UTC

Biome of koalas: coastal regions of Australia in forests
Temperature: humid, can reach to the 70's, can get as low as freezing
Rainfall: in the south, intermediate levels of rain occur (15.5 and 27.5 in per year), east coast gets 40-60 in., tropical north gets 47 to 80 in
Food Sources: leaves of certain eucalyptus trees

Physiological Adaptations

cb982 — 2024-04-19 18:23:43 UTC

One physiological adaptation of koalas is their slow metabolism of food
Eucalyptus leaves are hard to digest, so their metabolism is slower, helping extract all nutrients possible from the leaves

Structural adaptations

cb982 — 2024-04-19 18:23:55 UTC

A structural adaptation koalas have is finger like claws, kind of like humans
This helps them get around and do basic things like eat

Behavioral adaptations

cb982 — 2024-04-19 18:24:08 UTC

A behavioral adaptation koalas have is the ability to sleep for long periods of time
Their diet is very low energy, so sleeping after meals for long periods of time is common

Emu

cb982 — 2024-04-22 17:55:08 UTC

Common name: Emu

Scientific names: Dromaius novaehollandiae, Dromiceius novaehollandiae

Habitat: open country in Australia

Physical description: over five feet tall, stout, long-legged, brownish body with a dark grey head and neck, three toed feet

Characteristics similar to the Koala

cb982 — 2024-04-22 18:21:22 UTC

Both animals have claws
Even though koalas and emus aren't similar, evolution made the two species have their claws. Through a long line of evolution, the two are probably related and come from similar animals. The way these creatures developed over time showed that through evolution, the two are similar because of their claws.

My conclusions

cb982 — 2024-04-22 18:24:58 UTC

Within my understanding, natural selection is the ability of an animal to survive in its habitat while being able to reproduce
Environment, inherited variation, and population genetics play a factor in how koalas have evolved into its current state. The environment can play a role in terms of weather. Koalas with less body fat will not survive in the cold compared to koalas with more body fat. If a variation in the claw of a koala is different than that of a normal koala, it will have less of a chance for survival. Eating food and means of transportation will make it difficult for said Koala to survive.

Wombat

cb982 — 2024-04-24 17:53:13 UTC

Common name: wombat

Scientific name: Vombatidae

Physical description: tailless, coarse dark hair, granular nose pad, 31 to 47 inches long

Differences

cb982 — 2024-04-24 17:55:46 UTC

One difference between wombats and koalas is the way their body structures are built
The difference in body structures helps either animal thrive in their community
Environmental conditions that may have caused natural selection includes the amount of food available and the habitat