koala vs marbled electric eel

Phascolarctos cinereus compared with Torpedo sinuspersici

Key Differences

• koala is Vulnerable while marbled electric eel is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	koala	marbled electric eel
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Diprotodontia (Marsupials)	Torpediniformes (electric ray)
Family	Phascolarctidae (Koalas)	Torpedinidae
Genus	Phascolarctos (Koalas)	Torpedo
Species	Phascolarctos cinereus	Torpedo sinuspersici

Evolutionary Relationship

koala and marbled electric eel share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

marbled electric eel

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

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.

marbled electric eel

Habitat

Inhabits Mediterranean forests and woodlands and deserts and xeric shrublands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Syria.

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.