Why do koalas like to hug trees? Science finally has an answer

You may have your own beliefs about the reason why koalas appear to hug trees. And just to hazard a guess, you may believe that reason is that koalas are just the cutest. Well, not to dispute your worldview, but scientists have their own theory. In a study published recently in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters, it's revealed that koalas hug certain trees to cool down their body temperatures, and to conserve water.

Hear Carol's full interview with Warren Porter, an author on the study, and professor of zoology at the University Wisconsin-Madison by selecting the "Listen" button.

And just because they're so darned cute, here are a few more pictures of koalas hugging trees.