Koala fingerprints show ridges, whorls and loops so similar to human fingerprints that they can be difficult to distinguish under a microscope, a surprising example of convergent evolution between very different lineages.
How similar
The fine detail of koala dermatoglyphs — the microscopic ridge patterns on fingertips — includes swirls and loops that closely resemble human prints, and forensic experts have reported that a koala print at a scene could be mistaken for a human one without careful analysis.
Why it exists
Scientists believe the similarity arose through convergent evolution: unrelated species evolving similar solutions to similar problems, in this case improved grip and tactile sensitivity useful for arboreal life and manipulating leaves; koala fingerprints likely enhance handling of smooth eucalyptus foliage and increase sensory feedback.
Discovery and research
Researchers first noted and described koala fingerprints in the scientific literature in the 20th century and subsequent forensic and anatomical studies confirmed their close resemblance to primate prints, prompting interest from both evolutionary biologists and forensic scientists studying pattern formation and function.
Implications and takeaway
The koala’s human‑like fingerprints are a striking reminder that similar environmental challenges can produce nearly identical anatomical features in distant branches of life, and they underscore how form and function can converge even when species diverged long ago.