Koalas and their Specialized Claws

Koalas like most of the marsupial mammals possess specialized claws for various purposes. Marsupials (including koalas) need specialized claws (under-developed at birth but good enough to climb) because they have to reach their mothers' pouch by climbing at the time of their birth. Since; koalas are arboreal marsupials and they spend their entire lives on trees, therefore; they have developed more specialized claws as compared to the other non-arboreal marsupials.

Since; koalas are arboreal mammals, therefore; their claws are more specialized than other marsupial mammals. Their claws primarily help them in climbing trees and eating leaves.

Furthermore; these specialized claws not only help koalas in climbing trees but also in grabbing the fresh eucalyptus leaves from the higher branches. However; apart from climbing these claws offer a lot of various functions that help them to boost their lives. Let's further explore these specialized claws of koalas and their key functions within the lifestyle of koalas.

Each hand of koalas has 3 fingers and two thumbs. Each of these fingers and thumbs possesses a specialized claw. The combination of 3 fingers and 2 thumbs along with claws help koalas to make a firm grip while combing up or coming down the trees. The shape of these claws appears to be hooked-shape in appearance. Their color of claws is black along with shiny or glossy finish on them. On their feet; three fingers and 4 claws can be seen as well.

Koalas have 3 fingers and 2 thumbs on each hand which have hooked-shaped claws. These claws specifically help koalas to maintain a firm grip while climbing trees.

The third finger near the thumb has twin claws and it is generally assumed that the third finger comprises of 2 fingers which are fused together. Thumb on each foot of koalas does not have any claw at all. Researchers believe that these thumbs help koalas to retain a balance while climbing on trees. Koalas also have rough padding underneath their hand and feet which also help them in climbing.

Koalas' each foot has 3 fingers and 4 claws. One of the fingers near the thumb has actually two fingers that are fused together. They appear as single finger but grows 2 claws. The Koalas' feet have 1 thumb (or toe) each but their toes don't have any claws.

The koalas' claws also help them in carving and engraving the territorial markings as well. The koalas' claws are sharp enough to leave dominant engraving on trees. Koalas not only scent mark trees within its own territory but also engraves territorial markings through its claws to send a clear message for its rivals to stay out of this particular area.

Koalas also use their specialized claws to mark their territories. Their sharp claws especially help them to engrave unique markings on trees within their territory.

Similarly; if another male challenges the dominant male for its territory and gets ready for fight, these claws come in very handy to inflict wounds on their rivals. Koalas fight like wrestlers, therefore; grabbing each other and inflicting wounds through claws are very common and also very useful for their territorial conflict.

Koalas also perform basic functions of their lives with the help of their claws such as coming & grooming their fur hair and itching & scratching. Combing is also one of the core activities of their lives because it helps them to keep their fur clean and well-groomed. Koalas use the tip of their claws for combing and grooming purposes. Furthermore; Koalas use both hand claws and foot claws for combing and cleaning of their fur.

The koalas' claws also help them in grooming and combing their fur as well. They use the tip of their claws to comb and groom their fur hair.

Mothers also comb, groom and clean their young joeys with the help of these claws as well. Similarly; koalas also use their claws for scratching purposes as well. They scratch their head and neck areas with the help of the claws on their feet while tummy and leg areas are scratched through the claws of their hands.

Claws also come in handy for koala joeys as well. As soon as the koala joeys are born, they do have under-developed hand claws. Despite the fact that these claws are under-developed, these claws are useful and handy enough for the neonate koala joeys to climb up to the pouch of their mother. Later; when the koala joeys grow up and come out of the pouch (8th month onwards) their claws get fully developed.

Claws also help the young koala joeys as well. At birth they need claws for climbing to reach the pouch while at 8 months when they get out of their pouch these claws help joeys to cling firmly on the back of their mothers.

At this age, a joey will cling on the back of its mother and grab her strongly with the help of its claws. It has been observed that koala joeys firmly grab their mothers' back (fur) even when their mothers are fighting or fending off any male koala.

Lastly; claws also mean survival for koalas. Without claws, it will be very hard for koalas to climb trees and even survive. Remember koalas live all their lives on eucalyptus trees and they cannot live on any other species of trees or fulfill their food requirements from other leaves. A koala on the ground means certain death because of starvation or at the hand of predators.

Claws serve as the lifeline for koalas and without them they can't survive because they will unable to climb trees and reach the eucalyptus leaves. A koala on ground means certain death.

However; a damage to one or two claws may not hinder the koalas from climbing trees as their claws keep on growing and even recovering as well. In captivity often long claws of old koalas are trimmed with the help of nail-trimmers, so that they climb without any disruption. On the other hand; wild koalas take care of their claws on their own.