自澳大利亞發生毀滅性的森林大火以來，當地考拉的數量已有所下降。這對這些可愛、毛茸茸的有袋類動物的未來有什么影響？科學家們希望通過不斷地探索可以進一步了解此物種，從而保護它們的棲息地。本文介紹一些關于萌酷考拉的驚奇事實。

詞匯：wildlife 野生動物

When you think of a cute, furry wild animal, you often picture a koala. These adorable-looking creatures appear docile and friendly, so it’s no wonder people are concerned about the future of the species after the devastating bushfires that destroyed parts of Australia earlier this year. Luckily, many survived, which gives us a chance to continue to learn more about these marsupials.

Australia’s native and unique wildlife such as kangaroos, platypus and koalas, are under constant threat from human activity and natural disasters. It’s thought at least a billion animals lost their lives as a result of this year’s bushfires. Recently, drones and thermal imaging technology have been used to track their movements to help them keep safe. Protecting these unique species is important because, as The Australian Koala Foundation estimates, there are now possibly as few as 43,000 koalas in the wild.

So, what is so special about koalas and what makes them so ‘cool’? Maybe we envy their ability to sleep for up to 22 hours day! Or could it be their laid-back appearance due to the fact that they are herbivores and mainly feed on juicy eucalyptus leaves, which take a lot of time and energy to digest.

What is amazing is that because they often live in a dry and hot environment, they drink very little water. So, how do they survive? Well, scientists have discovered that these wild mammals lick running water off the smooth surface of a tree trunk when it is raining. This phenomenon is called "stemflow". Valentina Mella, the lead author of the research and an ethnologist from the University of Sydney, told the BBC: "I think the main message is that behavioural observations in the wild are very important to establish what is normal and what is unusual, and to truly understand what animals need. If we watch them carefully, they will tell us."

So, despite the word ‘koala’ meaning 'no drink' or 'no water' in the Aboriginal language, it seems that even these sleepy creatures do need a drink sometimes. And if we’re to encourage them to flourish, we need to conserve their habitat.

詞匯表

creature 動物
species 物種
bushfire 林火
marsupials 有袋（目）動物
kangaroo 袋鼠
platypus 鴨嘴獸
track 追蹤
laid-back 悠閑的，懶散的
herbivore 食草動物
eucalyptus leaf 桉樹葉
digest 消化
environment 環境
mammal 哺乳動物
trunk 樹干
phenomenon 現象
ethnologist 民族學者，人種學家
Aboriginal 澳大利亞土著的
flourish 茁壯成長
conserve 保護
habitat 棲息地

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. What is it that has recently destroyed much of the koala’s habitat in Australia?

2. True or false: Animals such as koalas can only be found in Australia.

3. Why does eating eucalyptus leaves make koalas laid-back and sleepy?

4. According to new research, how do koalas drink water?

5. Why should we protect the habitat koalas live in?

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. When I was on an expedition in the Amazon rainforest, I was lucky enough to spot a rare _______ of bird.

creature                          habitat                           species                      herbivore

2. While crossing the desert, the team had to _______ water before they reached the next village.

flourish                           conserve                         track                        digest

3. The good quality soil in the garden means my plants are _______.

flourished                       flourishing                       flourish                      flourishes

4. Although I love eating freshly baked bread, I find it hard to _______.

digest                            conserve                         track                          phenomenon  

5. My boyfriend is so _______ - he doesn’t care the boiler is broken and we have no hot water!

back-laid                        laid-backs                       lay-back                     laid-back

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。  

1. What is it that has recently destroyed much of koala’s habitat in Australia?
It’s thought at least a billion animals lost their lives as a result of these devastating bushfires.

2. True or false: Animals such as koalas can only be found in Australia.
True. Koalas are marsupials – types of animals that are unique to Australia.

3. Why does eating eucalyptus leaves make koalas laid-back and sleepy?
Feeding on juicy eucalyptus leaves takes a lot of time and energy for koalas to digest.

4. According to new research, how do koalas drink water?
Koalas lick running water off the smooth surface of a tree trunk when it is raining.

5. Why should we protect the habitat koalas live in?
We should conserve – or protect - their habitat to help them survive and flourish.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. When I was on an expedition in the Amazon rainforest, I was lucky enough to spot a rare species of bird.

2. While crossing the desert, the team had to conserve water before they reached the next village.

3. The good quality soil in the garden means my plants are flourishing.

4. Although I love eating freshly baked bread, I find it hard to digest.

5. My boyfriend is so laid-back - he doesn’t care the boiler is broken and we have no hot water!