Though often called the koala bear  this cute little animal is not a bear at all  it is a marsupial, or pouched mammal. After giving birth, a girl koala carries her baby in her pouch for about six months. When the baby koala is born, it rides on its mother's back or clings to her belly, accompanying her everywhere until it is about a year old.Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are everywhere. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them from falling. During the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping for up to 18 hours.