kangaroo bear
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A mother kangaroo bear carries her joey on her back through a eucalyptus forest.
Definition
Noun: A common name for the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), a slow-moving, tree-dwelling (arboreal) marsupial native to Australia. It is characterized by its lack of a visible tail, large grey furry ears, and thick grey fur. Its diet consists almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves and bark.
Usage Notes
- The term "kangaroo bear" is an informal, descriptive name based on the animal's Australian origin ("kangaroo" referencing Australia) and its bear-like appearance. The scientifically accurate and universally common name is koala.
- It is used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Early European settlers sometimes mistakenly called the koala a kangaroo bear.
- The kangaroo bear spends most of its life sleeping in eucalyptus trees.
- Tourists were delighted to see a mother kangaroo bear carrying her joey on her back.
Advanced Usage
- The term is largely historical or used for illustrative purposes. In modern biological, conservation, and general contexts, "koala" is the preferred term to avoid confusion with actual bears or kangaroos.
Variants and Related Words
- Koala (n.): The standard and scientific common name for the animal.
- Koala bear (n.): Another informal, though more common, vernacular name.
- Native bear (n., historical): An older colloquial Australian term.
- Phascolarctos cinereus (n.): The formal biological (Latin) species name.
Synonyms
- Koala
- Koala bear (informal)
- Native bear (historical, informal)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- No direct idioms feature the term "kangaroo bear." Idioms typically use the standard name "koala," such as describing someone very relaxed as "as chilled as a koala."
A mother kangaroo bear carries her joey on her back through a eucalyptus forest.
Noun
- sluggish tailless Australian arboreal marsupial with grey furry ears and coat; feeds on eucalyptus leaves and bark