Koala and Londonderry, New Hampshire: Difference between pages

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:''This article is about the animal. For the computer game, see [[Coala]].''

'''Londonderry, New Hampshire''' is a town located in western [[Rockingham County, New Hampshire]]. Originally called Nutfield, along with the communities of Derry, Windham, and parts of New Hampshire's largest city [[Manchester]] for the prevalance of nut trees in the area. As of the [[2000]] census, the town had a total population of 23,236. Londonderry is known especially for its apple orchards, including Moose Hill Orchards (Mack's Apples), located along [[Mammoth Road]] (Route 128) one of the major roads through Londonderry along with Route 102 (Nashua Road), I-93, Pillsbury Road, Litchfield Road, and Route 28.

== Education ==

{{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Koala}}<br />{{StatusConcern}}

Londonderry has five schools, with Superintendant Nathan Greenberg.

{{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Australia Cairns Koala.jpg|none|200px]] | caption = }}

* Londonderry High School (9-12) - The largest school in the town, home to "The Lancers," and principled by James E. Elefante.

{{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}

* Londonderry Middle School (6-8) - Principled by Andrew Corey. Formerly called Londonderry Junior High School.

{{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}

* North School (K-5) - Currently under construction

{{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}

* Matthew Thornton (K-5) - Named for a [[Revolutionary War]] hero.

{{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Mammal]]ia}}

* South School (K-5) - Recently renovated due to a mold issue.

{{Taxobox_subclassis_entry | taxon = [[Marsupialia]]}}

* Moose Hill School (pre-K, K) - Largest free standing public kindergarten in the state of [[New Hampshire]]. Also houses preschool and LEEP program.

{{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Diprotodontia]]}}

{{Taxobox_subordo_entry | taxon = [[Vombatiformes]]}}

{{Taxobox_familia_entry | taxon = '''Phascolarctidae'''}}<br/>{{Taxobox authority | author = [[Richard Owen|Owen]] | date = 1839}}

{{Taxobox_genus_entry | taxon = '''''Phascolarctos'''''}}</br>{{Taxobox authority | author = [[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville]] | date = 1816}}

{{Taxobox_species_entry | taxon = '''''P. cinereus'''''}}

{{Taxobox_end_placement}}

{{Taxobox_section_binomial parens| color = pink | binomial_name = Phascolarctos cinereus | author = [[Georg August Goldfuss|Goldfuss]] | date = [[1817]]}}

{{Taxobox_end}}

== Geography ==

The '''Koala''' (''Phascolarctos cinereus''; sometimes also spelled ''Phascolarct'''u'''s cinereus'') is a thickset arboreal [[marsupial]] [[herbivore]] endemic to [[Australia]], and the only representative of its [[family (biology)|family]], '''Phascolarctidae'''.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 108.6 [[square kilometer|km&sup2;]] (41.9 [[square mile|mi&sup2;]]). 108.3 km&sup2; (41.8 mi&sup2;) of it is land and 0.3 km&sup2; (0.1 mi&sup2;) of it is water. The total area is 0.31% water.

== Demographics ==

The koala's scientific name comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''phaskolos'' meaning "pouch" and; ''arktos'' meaning "bear". The ''cinereus'' part is [[Latin]] and means "ash-colored". Some people refer to the koala as a koala bear&mdash;this is technically incorrect, since koala is not part of the bear family. The word "koala" comes from an [[aboriginal]] word meaning "does not drink".

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of [[2000]], there are 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] is 214.6/km&sup2; (555.8/mi&sup2;). There are 7,718 housing units at an average density of 71.3/km&sup2; (184.6/mi&sup2;). The racial makeup of the town is 96.92% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.56% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[Race (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.17% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.16% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.32% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population are [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There are 7,623 households out of which 50.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% are [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% are non-families. 12.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.05 and the average family size is 3.36.

Koalas are found all along the eastern coast of Australia from near [[Adelaide]] to the base of the [[Cape York Peninsula]], and as far into the [[hinterland]] as there is enough rainfall to support suitable forest. The koalas of [[South Australia]] were exterminated during the early part of the [[20th century]], but the state has since been repopulated with [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]n stock.

In the town the population is spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.1 males.

==Taxonomy==

The median income for a household in the town is $70,501, and the median income for a family is $73,513. Males have a median income of $50,566 versus $33,821 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town is $26,491. 2.1% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 1.2% of those under the age of 18 and 6.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Although three [[subspecies]] have been described, these are arbitrary selections from a cline and are not generally accepted as valid. Following [[Bergmann's Rule]], southern individuals from the cooler climates are larger. A typical Victorian koala (formerly ''P. cinereus victor'', see illustrations) has longer, thicker fur, is a darker, softer grey, often with chocolate-brown highlights on the back and forearms, and has a more prominently light-coloured ventral side and fluffy white ear tufts. Typical weights are 12&nbsp;kg for males and 8.5&nbsp;kg for females. In tropical and sub-tropical [[Queensland]], however, Koalas are smaller (at around 6.5&nbsp;kg for an average male and just over 5&nbsp;kg for an average female), a lighter, often rather scruffy, grey in colour, and have shorter, thinner fur. Queensland koalas were previously classified as the subspecies ''P. cinereus adustus'', and the intermediate forms in [[New South Wales]] as ''P. cinereus cinereus''. The variation from one form to another is continuous, and there are substantial differences between individual Koalas in any given region such as hair color.

== Town Policy ==

==Physical description==

Londonderry has been known for town policy that aims to limit development and growth in town. The town has recently been in the news for a legal fight involving the eviction of Robert Saulnier.

Koalas are broadly similar in appearance to the [[wombat]] (their closest living relative), but have a thicker, softer coat, much larger ears, and longer limbs, which are equipped with large, sharp claws to assist with climbing. Weight varies from about 14&nbsp;kg for a large, southern male, to about 5&nbsp;kg for a small northern female. They are generally silent, but male koalas have a very loud advertising call (a nasal snort that [[human]] [[children]] delight in imitating) that can be heard from almost a [[kilometre]] away during the breeding season.

== External links ==

==Ecology and behavior==

*[http://www.londonderrynh.org Official Town Website]

[[Image:Koala.jpg|frame|left|Koala in Manna Gum forest, southern Victoria.]]

*[http://www.londonderry.org Londonderry School District]

Koalas live almost entirely on [[eucalyptus]] leaves. This is likely an [[evolution]]ary adaptation that takes advantage of an otherwise unfilled [[ecological niche]], since eucalyptus leaves are low in [[protein]], high in indigestible substances, and contain [[phenolic]] and [[terpene]] compounds that are toxic to most species. Like [[wombat]]s and [[sloth]]s, koalas have a very low [[metabolic]] rate for a [[mammal]] (which conserves energy) and rest motionless for about 20 hours a day, sleeping most of that time. They feed at any time of day, but usually at night. An average koala eats 500 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day, chewing them in their powerful jaws to a very fine paste before swallowing. The liver deactivates the toxic components ready for [[excretion]], and the hind gut (especially the [[caecum]]) is greatly enlarged to extract the maximum amount of nutrient from the poor quality diet. Much of this is done through [[bacterial]] [[fermentation]]: when young koalas are being [[weaned]], the mother passes unusually soft [[faeces]] rich in these bacteria to pass these essential digestive aids onto her offspring.

[[Category:Rockingham County, New Hampshire]]

Koalas will eat the leaves of a wide range of [[eucalyptus]], and occasionally even some exotic species, but they have firm preferences for particular varieties, which vary from one region to another: in the south [[Manna Gum]], [[Blue Gum]] and [[Swamp Gum]] are favoured; [[Grey Gum]] and [[Tallowwood]] are important in the north, and the ubiquitous [[River Red Gum]] of the isolated seasonal swamps and watercourses that meander across the dry inland plains allows koalas to exist in surprisingly [[arid]] areas. The major factor that determines which of the 800 species of [[eucalyptus]] trees koalas eat is the concentration of a group of [[phenolic]] toxins called formylated phloroglucinol compounds.

[[Category:Towns in New Hampshire]]

[[Image:Koala-ag1.jpg|thumb|right|280px|]]

Female koalas are [[solitary]] and occupy distinct home ranges that they rarely leave. In the more [[fertile]] areas, these ranges overlap; in areas where suitable food trees are scarce they tend to be larger and more exclusive. Males are not [[territorial]], but do not tolerate one another, particularly not during the [[breeding]] season: dominant individuals attack subordinate ones, and most adult males carry scars on their face, ears and forearms as a result.

Koalas are almost entirely [[arboreal]]. They do not make nests, but sleep in a tree fork or on a branch. They climb using their powerful claws for grip, usually moving quite slowly but can climb rapidly when needed. Koalas will leap confidently from one tree to another if they are reasonably close together. Longer distances are traversed on the ground in a slow but effective [[waddle]]. If threatened, koalas break into a surprisingly [[athletic]] gallop, heading for the nearest tree and bounding up it to a safe height. There the Koala waits for the intruder to go away with the endless patience of a creature that routinely sleeps for 18 hours a day.

==Breeding==

Females reach sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age, males at 3 to 4 years. If healthy, a female koala can produce one young each year for about 12 years. [[Gestation]] is 35 days; twins are very rare. Mating normally occurs between December and March, the southern hemisphere's summer.

A baby koala is referred to as a joey and is hairless, blind, and earless. At birth the joey, only the size of a jelly bean, crawls into the downward-facing pouch on the mother's belly (which is closed by a drawstring-like muscle that the mother can tighten at will) and attaches itself to one of the two [[teat]]s. Young remain hidden in the pouch for about six months, only feeding on milk. During this time they grow ears, eyes, and fur. The joey then begins to explore outside of the pouch. At about 30 weeks it has begun to eat the semi-liquid form of the mother&#8217;s excrement called "pap". The baby koala will remain with the mother for another six months or so, riding on her back, and feeding on both milk and gum leaves until weaning is complete at about 12 months of age. Young females disperse to nearby areas at that time; young males often stay in the mother's home range until they are two or three years old.

==Conservation==

[[Image:Koalas-at-Lone-Pine-2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Koalas at the [[Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary]], Queensland]]

The koala was hunted almost to extinction in the early 20th century, largely for its fur. In recent years, some colonies have been hard hit by disease, especially [[chlamydia]]. Koalas require large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. The ever-increasing human population of the continent continues to cut these corridors for agricultural and residential development, forestry and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush. The [[Australian Koala Foundation]] has mapped 40,000 km&sup2; of land for koala habitat and claims it has strong evidence to suggest wild koala populations are in serious decline throughout the koala's natural range. Although the species covers a massive area, only 'pieces' of koala habitat remain. These pieces need to be managed, protected and restored in a coordinated way. Presently, too many are being lost to weeds, cleared for agriculture, or carved up by developers. Other threats come from logging, poor management, attacks from feral and domestic animals, disease and roads.

[[Image:Koala2.jpg|thumb|left|A koala in the [[Healesville Sanctuary]], Victoria.]]

In contrast to the situation on the mainland, where populations are declining, the Koalas of [[Kangaroo Island]], introduced there some 90 years ago, have reached what some have describe as "plague" proportions. The absence of predators and competition, and an inability to migrate to new areas, have seen the Koalas populations become unsustainable and threaten the Island's unique ecology. In particular, species of [[manna gum]], native to the island, are being stripped by Koalas at a rate faster then they can regenerate, endangering local birds and invertebrates that rely on them, and causing the extinction of at least one isolated population of manna. Koala numbers are estimated at over 30,000, with ecologists suggesting that the Island can sustain 10,000 at a minimum. Although culling has been suggested as a means to reduce Koala numbers, with the [[Government of South Australia|South Australian Government]] seriously considering such in [[1996]], this has met with fierce opposition both domestically and internationally, and the species remains protected. The popularity of the Koala has made the possibility of a cull politically improbable, with any negative perception likely to impact on tourism and a Government's electability. In place of a cull, sterilisation and translocation programmes have had only limited success in reducing numbers thus far, and remain expensive. There is evidence that Koalas relocated to the mainland have difficulty establishing themselves in the different circumstances. A mooted alternative to the complex sterialisation method, wherein the animal must first be captured, are hormonal implants that can be injected via darts.

Koalas occur in four Australian states. Under state legislation, the species is listed as Vulnerable in the South East Queensland Bioregion, Vulnerable in New South Wales and Rare in South Australia. The species' national status is under review.

==References==

*[[Ben Fordham]], [http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/stories/1671.asp "Koala cull: the Kangaroo Island controversy"], ''[[A Current Affair (Australia)|A Current Affair]]'' (15 April 2004).

==See also==

{{commons|Koala}}

*[[Marsupial]]

*[[Australian Koala Foundation]]

==Popular culture==

In popular [[Western culture]], the animal is usually either depicted as a cuddly innocent, or as a [[curmudgeonly]] character never terribly impressed by the things he sees around him. [[Qantas]] airlines used a koala who continually complains about the airline's reliability in a series of [[television commercial]]s.

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