Unexpected discovery of koala species drinking water from tree

Scientists have found a surprising answer to the question of how koala drinks water. Through research, koala species drink water directly on the tree.

The RT channel (Russia) said the results were published in the May 2 issue of Ethology magazine, citing 46 examples of koala drinking water from tree trunks , something that has never been recorded before.

Images of koala drinking water from a tree were recorded by Australian scientists. 

Dr Valentina Mella at the University of Sydney (Australia), who led the study, said: 'For a long time, we thought that koalas didn't need to drink as much water because they met the water demand from the leaves. eat daily. But now, watching them lick water from the trunk, this is what changed our minds. Interesting'.

Koala depends on the tree to eat and live. In nature, three-quarters of the koala's water uptake comes from eucalyptus leaves, but they also rely on the trunk after rains to retain water.

Dr. Mella's data was collected from observations of residents and ecologists between 2006 and 2019. The main observation sites are in Victoria and New South Wales as well as Gunnedah, Mullaley. It is noted that the koala drank water from the trunk continuously for 34 minutes.

Dr. Mella's research shows that conserving trees and sustainable wet seasons is essential for healthy koala species. Australia is going through the driest period ever recorded, which means koala has to look for man-made water sources such as swimming pools and fountains to drink.

Dr. Mella is working on creating artificial water sources for koalas from plants so they remain moist even during drought.

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