Mary Ann Lee, age 12, of Reno, Nev., for her question:

IS THE KOALA A SMALL BEAR?

Although in appearance the koala somewhat resembles the toy teddy bear, which was modeled after it, the koala definitely isn't a small bear. It is an aboreal marsupial animal that is found in the wilds only in the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia.

The female gives birth to one young at a time. The young koala is kept in the mother's marsupial pouch for about six months after birth, at the end of which time she carries the baby upon her back until it is about half grown.

The koala is a very lethargic animal and often remains in the same tree for days. It will feed on eucalyptus leaves during the night and sleep during the day. The males are more active than the females and sometimes also feed during the day.

Koalas sleep curled up on the limbs of trees, firmly grasping the limbs with their feet. The animal does not relax its hold even when it is mortally wounded in gunfire. Koalas were once killed for their soft, thick fur, which  was sold in the United States as wombat fur. The animals are now protected by laws in Australia.