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Endemic fauna of Southwest AustraliaIUCN Red List vulnerable speciesMacropodsMammals described in 1830

Quokka

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A happy quokka, a small marsupial known for its friendly face, sitting on Rottnest Island in Australia.

Quokka

Quokkas are tiny, friendly animals that look a bit like small kangaroos. They are about the size of a house cat and live in Western Australia. You can mainly find them on small islands like Rottnest Island and Bald Island. These islands are safe places for quokkas because there are fewer animals that might scare them.

Quokkas love to eat plants such as grasses and leaves. They are very careful about what they eat and will not eat human food, like chips, because it can make them sick. These animals are mostly active at night and rest during the day, hiding in bushes and plants.

People love quokkas because they are very friendly and often come close to visitors, especially on Rottnest Island. Taking pictures with quokkas, known as “quokka selfies,” has become popular. Famous people like Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie have taken quokka selfies too! However, it is important to remember that quokkas should not be touched or fed, as this can be harmful to them.

Quokkas are special to many because they are gentle and happy-looking. They are also important to the places where they live, and people work hard to protect them and their homes.

Images

A family of quokkas—two adults and a baby—hanging out together at Rottnest Island in Western Australia.
A happy quokka posing for a selfie — these friendly marsupials are known for their smiley faces!

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Quokka, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.