Koala joey makes debut appearance at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
COLUMBIA (WACH) --The next time visitors take a trip to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden there will be a new family member on display.
Baby "Owen," born last month to parents, Jimmie and Lottie, spent nearly seven months growing in his mother's pouch before making his first public appearance at the Zoo. He now spends most of the day clinging to her back or tucked under her belly.
Baby koalas start out about the size of a jellybean. He is the second offspring for Jimmie and the fourth for Lottie.
Curator of Mammals, John Davis, explains, "[koalas] their natural behavior is to sleep long hours...18 to 20 hours a day...but I would encourage visitors to come earlier in the morning because it's usually a good time to observe the baby."
The baby koala may look like a small bear, but it's actually a marsupial like the kangaroo.
How cute is little Owen to you? Share your comments with us.
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