A research performed by James Cook University revealed that Koalas hug the trees with a reason.

Professor Krockenberger: “We know that about a quarter of the koalas in one population in New South Wales died during a heat wave in 2009. Understanding the types of factors that can make some populations more resilient is important.”

Koalas also pant and lick their fur to cool down.

Professor Krockenberger: “Accessing to (cool) trees can save about half the water a koala would need to keep cool on a hot day”

Researchers used a portable weather station on a long pole to measure what the koalas were experiencing in the places they chose to sit, compared to other places available to them.