Leipzig koala cub ventures out of its pouch for the first time

The koala cub at Leipzig Zoo is increasingly venturing out of its mother Erlinga's protective pouch. "So far, we have been able to observe the little one making its first explorations outside the pouch, especially in the afternoon," said senior curator Ariel Jacken. It will probably not be long before the offspring can also be seen regularly by zoo visitors. Erlinga is proving to be an exemplary and very vigilant first-time mother. The zoo is very pleased with the young animal's development.

Excursions on mom's belly

According to the zoo, the five to six-month-old little koala has now become much more active. For a few weeks, only a delicate little snout was visible at first, but now the young animal is peeking its whole head out of its pouch more and more often and venturing its first cautious excursions on its mother's belly. The koala cub now weighs several hundred grams, Jacken estimated at the beginning of November.

It is unclear whether it is a male or a female. The youngest inhabitant of the koala house is therefore still nameless.

Koalas are not bears

Koalas are tree dwellers with excellent climbing skills. Because the eucalyptus leaves they feed on are difficult to digest and poor in nutrients, they move very little. They sleep or rest a total of 18 to 20 hours a day, according to the zoo. "The rest of the time they spend eating, especially at dusk and at night." And: koalas are not bears, even if they are occasionally referred to as koala or marsupial bears. They are related to kangaroos.