Koala (not) Bears

I am currently reading a book that came highly recommended. I have to say, I'm really enjoying it - except for one, teeny, tiny, niggling point... koala's aren't bears!

In the book the author makes a reference to "koala bears". She did that many pages ago but I can't let it go. So please excuse my little lecture.

I know they look like real-life teddy bears, but they are just called koalas. I'm not being pedantic. They aren't called bears because they aren't bears.

Bears are mammals. They give birth to live young who have developed in-utero receiving nutrients via a placenta.

Koalas are marsupials. They give birth to live young who haven't received nutrients in-utero via a placenta. Instead the young are born much earlier than mammals (an earlier embryonic stage) and travel to a pouch where they attach themselves to a teat and remain there for weeks or months to complete their development.

Like I said, only a teeny point. But as an Australian reader it grated and pulled me from the story. Not helped by the fact I am also an environmental scientist, which is probably why I haven't been able to let it go.

I guess it just shows that readers will notice any error that slips through edits.

Has an incorrect fact in a book ever distracted you from the story?

A to Z Challenge: K

K is for King Brown, Kookaburra and Koala

The king brown is a large snake, growing to 3m/9.8'.  It is found in most parts of the country and feeds on lizards, birds, frogs and small mammals. The king brown is one of Australia's venemous snakes (the 20th most venemous in the world - of which Australia has the top 11, and 20 of the top 25).

Kookaburras are a large species of kingfisher notable by the fact their call resembles laughter.

The koala is one of Australia's most well recognised animals. Often incorrectly referred to as koala bears (no relation to a bear) they are a tree dwelling marsupial that feeds on gum leaves (eucalypts).