vs koala

Euglena deses compared with Phascolarctos cinereus

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while koala is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		koala
Kingdom	Protozoa (protozoa)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Euglenozoa (Euglenozoa)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Euglenoidea (Euglenoidea)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Euglenida (Euglenida)	Diprotodontia (Marsupials)
Family	Euglenaceae	Phascolarctidae (Koalas)
Genus	Euglena	Phascolarctos (Koalas)
Species	Euglena deses	Phascolarctos cinereus

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		koala
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	75 cm
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

koala

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found in Australia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Euglena deses is a photosynthetic euglenoid flagellate in the family Euglenaceae, distinguished by its elongate to cylindrical cell body that undergoes pronounced euglenoid movement (metaboly). It inhabits nutrient-rich freshwater habitats, including puddles, ditches, and the surface of damp soil, often forming green biofilms. Its single emergent flagellum propels it toward light to optimize photosynthesis.

koala

Iconic marsupial of eastern and southeastern Australia, koalas weigh up to 15 kg and spend up to 22 hours daily sleeping to conserve energy from their low-calorie eucalyptus leaf diet. Highly specialized to process toxic eucalyptus compounds that would kill most other mammals, they have gut microbiomes uniquely adapted for detoxification. Listed as Endangered in 2022, with populations decimated by chlamydia disease, habitat clearing, and climate change.