Koala vs Afrikanischer Löwe

Phascolarctos cinereus compared with Panthera leo

Key Differences

  • Koala is herbivore while Afrikanischer Löwe is carnivore.
  • Afrikanischer Löwe is 19.0x heavier than Koala.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Koala Afrikanischer Löwe
Kingdom same Animalia (Tier) Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordatiere) Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same Mammalia (Säugetiere) Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order Diprotodontia (Marsupials) Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family Phascolarctidae (Koalas) Felidae (Cats)
Genus Phascolarctos (Koalas) Panthera (Big Cats)
Species Phascolarctos cinereus Panthera leo

Evolutionary Relationship

Koala and Afrikanischer Löwe share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Afrikanischer Löwe

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Koala Afrikanischer Löwe
Diet Herbivore Carnivore
Average Lifespan 15 years 15 years
Average Length 75 cm 2.5 m
Average Weight 10.0 kg 190.0 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.

Afrikanischer Löwe

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Afrikanischer Löwe

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia