ANIMALWOOD

Koala

Medium to carve

Sleeps 22 hours a day — and has the fingerprints to confuse forensics.

Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of eastern Australia

Carve it in today's puzzle

Fun facts about the Koala

Koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day to conserve energy — eucalyptus leaves are toxic, low in nutrition, and require a lot of energy to digest. They are one of only a handful of non-primate mammals with fingerprints, virtually indistinguishable from human ones. Koala joeys are born the size of a jellybean and spend six months in their mother's pouch. Despite their cuddly appearance, koalas have sharp claws designed for climbing and can be aggressive when disturbed.

Carving the Koala

The Koala offers a moderate challenge: it has both broad areas to clear quickly and fine details that reward a careful hand. Start with the gouge on large negative-space areas.

Switch to the chisel for the mid-range details, and finish any thin protrusions with the knife. Use a Peek if you lose track of the proportions.

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