Watch Secret Life of the Koala

Secret Life of the Koala is a documentary series produced by Smithsonian Earth, which explores the unique and elusive world of Australia's favorite cuddly creature – the koala. The three-part series, which debuted in 2016, takes viewers on a fascinating journey into the little-known world of these furry marsupials by providing an insight into their everyday lives, behaviors, and habitat.

The show captures adorable moments of koalas in their natural habitat, featuring footage of mothers with babies, juveniles playing, males competing for mates, and other natural behaviors. It provides stunning shots of the Australian bushland and gum trees, where they primarily live and feed on eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous to most other animals.

The first episode, 'Making a Home', explores the habitat and lifestyle of koalas, shedding light on their secrets of survival. The episode dives deep into the scientific research carried out on koalas, including tests on their digestive system, showing how they can break down the toxic eucalyptus leaves, avoiding the dangers imposed by their diet.

The second episode, 'Survival Game,' focuses on how the koalas adapt to their changing environment. As koalas lose their habitats due to deforestation and human development, they face new challenges such as new predators and dwindling diversity in the eucalyptus trees that they rely on. The episode highlights the recent discoveries, which suggest that koalas could be the key to spreading the seeds of eucalyptus trees, which could help address the critical issue of deforestation.

The final episode, 'Finding Love,' explores koalas' mating rituals and the competitive nature of males as they compete for a mate. The show takes a deeper look at the relationships between koalas and their ability to communicate through unique sounds and body language.

The documentary highlights the different challenges that koalas face in their daily lives, including disease, injury, and potential conflicts with their environment. It also showcases the important role that humans play in helping to preserve koalas and their habitat.

The documentary is narrated by Chris Thorburn, a wildlife filmmaker and conservationist who brings his deep passion for wildlife to the series. The use of cinematic techniques in the filming of Secret Life of the Koala, including time-lapses and slow-motion shots, provides a fascinating insight into the world of the koala.

Overall, Secret Life of the Koala provides a unique opportunity to gain an incredible insight into the day-to-day lives of koalas and their fascinating behaviors. By capturing their incredible story in a beautifully filmed documentary, the show offers an invaluable opportunity to learn about this remarkable animal, which has fought to survive in the toughest environment for millions of years. For those interested in wildlife and the natural world, this is a must-watch documentary series.

Secret Life of the Koala is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between August 12, 2016 and on Smithsonian Earth