We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Australian Version)
So it’s a little bit misleading. We’re not actually going on a bear hunt. Thank goodness! This song is all about going to find a koala in the Australian bush and yes, you’re right, koalas are not bears. They’ve been mistakenly called this for years since they were first seen by European settlers in Australia.
If you’re lucky enough to see a koala in the wild then be sure to take a picture of this cute Australian marsupial.
Interesting facts about Koalas and other cute Australian animals from Curiosity Capers
Educational Children’s Song
Once you’ve watched the video about cute Australian animals, have a listen to the song. It’s a call and response song that is easy for children to learn and enjoyable to sing along with.
Whether you’re in the classroom or homeschooling with a few kids, children love to sing along to this engaging song. You might be familiar with the original camp song or the book version, but this version by Caper Kids Music puts a special twist on the well known story.
A YouTube video of the Australian version of the children's song, We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Caper Kids Music. Actually, a koala is not a bear. How confusing!
Song Lyrics for We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna see a fluffy one
We're not scared
What a beautiful day
Uh oh
Grass, sharp pointy grass
We can't go over it
We can't go under it
We’ll have to go through it
Dodge, hop, dodge and hop
Uh oh
We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna see a fluffy one
We're not scared
What a beautiful day
Uh oh
A beach, a hot sandy beach
We can't go over it
We can't go under it
We’ll have to go through it
Run, skip, run and skip
Uh oh
We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna see a fluffy one
We're not scared
What a beautiful day
Uh oh
A canyon, a big rocky canyon
We can't go over it
We can't go under it
We’ll have to go through it
Climbing, climb, climb up higher
Uh oh
We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna see a fluffy one
We're not scared
What a beautiful day
Uh oh
A forest, a eucalypt forest
We can't go over it
We can't go under it
We’ll have to go through it
Stumble, trip, stumble, trip
Uh oh, what’s that?
One big black nose
Two round soft ears
Fluffy grey fur
It's a koala, not a bear
Uh oh
Quick, get the binoculars!
Look straight up, in the tree, there's a koala, looking at me, be very quite, get the phone, call the family, back at home,
Take a picture, have a look, zoom in closer, that looks good, remember that, it's not a bear it's just a koala up there.
Our fluffy marsupial friend.
Koala climbing
10 Fun Facts about Koalas
A Koala Isn't a Bear: Despite their cuddly appearance, koalas are not actually bears. They are marsupials, which means they are pouch-dwelling mammals, like kangaroos and wombats.
Eucalyptus Experts: Koalas have a specialized diet of eucalyptus leaves. These leaves are low in nutrition and full of toxins, but koalas have a special digestive system that allows them to process them.
Picky Eaters: Even though they eat eucalyptus leaves, koalas are picky eaters! There are over 700 species of eucalyptus, but koalas only eat about 50 of them.
Silent Sippers: The word "koala" is believed to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "no drink." Koalas get most of the moisture they need from their eucalyptus diet.
Sleepyheads: Koalas sleep for up to 22 hours a day! Their low-energy eucalyptus diet means they need a lot of rest to conserve energy.
Thumbs Up: Koalas are one of the few mammals (besides primates) that have opposable thumbs. This helps them grip branches and leaves while they eat and sleep.
Social Butterflies (Not Really): Koalas are mostly solitary animals. Males and females only come together to mate.
Baby Talk: Koala joeys (babies) can't eat eucalyptus leaves until they are about 6 months old. Until then, they drink their mother's milk, which contains special bacteria that helps them digest eucalyptus leaves.
Smelly Survivors: Koalas have a special scent gland on their chest. They use this scent to communicate with other koalas and to mark their territory.
Vulnerable Icons: Sadly, koala numbers are declining due to habitat loss and disease. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these iconic Australian animals.
You might also like these resources by Caper Kids Education
So it’s a little bit misleading. We’re not actually going on a bear hunt. Thank goodness! This song is all about going to find a koala in the Australian bush and yes, you’re right, koala’s are not bears.