They're cute,
they're cuddly
and they're vicious.
Koala bears might not be known
for their attacks,
but their sharp claws and strong teeth
show that the only thing soft
about this marsupial
is their fur.
If you come across one of these critters
in the wild
it's best to keep your distance,
or they may become aggressive.
And once you trigger this angry fluffball,
it will come at you with all it's got.
Including its pee.
Koalas aren’t the biggest animals
out there.
Females only weigh about 5 kg (11 lb)
and males 6.5 kg (14 lb),
but they aren’t afraid to bite,
scratch or even pee on you.
They can be quite dangerous
when they feel threatened.
In 2006,
people broke into an Australian zoo
in hopes of stealing a koala.
The fuzzy thing
put up such a good fight
that the robbers decided
it was easier to steal a 40 kg (90 lb)
crocodile instead.
They might look like the perfect
little cuddle buddy,
but koalas don’t like being handled
or put on display.
Loud noises can also
contribute to their stress,
which can cause them to feel vulnerable
and irritated.
Koalas like to sleep a lot.
They have about 22 hours
of beauty sleep per day,
so it might be easy to think that
they won’t be affected by human presence,
but that's not true.
Their vigilant behavior increases
when you’re within a 5 m (16 ft) radius,
and trust me,
you don’t want to put them on alert mode.
Those claws aren’t the only
dangerous things about these mammals.
If you come in contact with their urine,
you can contract
an STI (sexually transmitted infection).
It is estimated that up to 80%
of koalas in the wild
are infected with chlamydia,
which can cause blindness,
infertility
and severe inflammation
of the urinary tract.
Not all koalas carry the strain
that is transmissible to humans
but just in case,
never let a koala pee on you.
If you’re going to be wandering around
those eucalyptus trees that koalas love,
you better dress properly.
Their razor-sharp claws
are perfect for climbing.
In koala territory,
you never know when one might act out
by swiping at you unexpectedly.
Wearing thick clothing like long pants
and a jacket will offer you an extra layer
of protection for your skin.
You survived their claws and pee,
but now you have to watch out
for that extremely strong jaw
and sharp teeth
that they won’t hesitate to use against you
to inflict serious injury.
Once a koala bites you,
it won’t let go on its own.
You’ll have to forcefully pry its mouth open
to free yourself
or the person you’re helping.
In 2022, a family walking in the bush
crossed paths with a koala.
The animal charged at a small child,
pounced and refused to let go.
The vicious attack ended when a man
managed to pry the koala off the boy.
While you find your dog adorable,
koalas don’t.
Your pet can be rather curious
and come too close to the wild animal,
triggering their defensive nature
and initiating an attack.
The best way to prevent your beloved Fido
from ticking off one of these creatures
is to keep it on a leash in koala territory.
Koalas aren’t the only cuddly-looking
creatures than can kill you.
This pair of eyes look so harmless
and innocent,
but don’t let that cute face be
a distraction
from the deadly venom
that is awaiting you
with one single bite.
Want to know more?
Keep watching.