Litokoala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LitokoalaTemporal range: early-Middle Miocene
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| Artist's reconstruction | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Phascolarctidae |
| Genus: | †Litokoala Stirton et al., 1967 |
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Litokoala was an extinct animal, a type of marsupial. It was a close relative of the modern koala. Another ancient marsupial, Nimiokoala, was also related. These three groups might have split off from each other a long time ago.
Scientists think that as Australia became drier, and Eucalyptus forests grew, the modern koala developed its unique features. Litokoala was much smaller than today's koala. It was only about half the size.
About Litokoala
Litokoala lived about 10 to 16 million years ago. This was during a time called the Middle Miocene epoch. Its fossils have been found in a place called Riversleigh in Queensland, Australia.
Where it Lived
Back then, Riversleigh was a lush rainforest habitat. This was very different from many parts of Australia today. The area had lots of plants and water.
What it Ate
Unlike the modern koala, Litokoala did not eat only eucalyptus leaves. Its teeth show it had a varied diet. This means it ate many different kinds of plants. The modern koala, Phascolarctos, is very picky about its food.
How it Looked
Litokoala had some features that were a mix of a koala and a common brushtail possum. Scientists have only found parts of its bones. This makes it hard to know exactly what it looked like. For example, only a small part of the skull is known for one species, L. kutjamarpensis.
See also
