Quokka

The quokka (/ˈkwɒkə/; Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat. It is the only member of the genus Setonix. Like other marsupials in the macropod family (such as kangaroos and wallabies), the quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

The quokka's range is a small area of southwestern Australia. They live on some smaller islands off the coast of Western Australia, especially Rottnest Island near Perth and Bald Island close to Albany. You can also find them in forests and coastal areas between Perth and Albany. A small group lives in a protected area called Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, where they share their home with the Gilbert's potoroo.

Description

The quokka is a small animal, about the size of a house cat. It weighs between 2.5 to 5 kilograms and is 40 to 54 centimeters long, with a short tail. It has strong hind legs, rounded ears, and a broad head. Though it looks a bit like a tiny kangaroo, it can climb into small trees and shrubs up to about 1.5 meters tall.

Quokkas are mostly active at night and rest during the day, often hiding in plants for safety. They live about 10 years on average. After a month of pregnancy, a female quokka has one baby at a time, called a joey. The joey stays in her pouch for six months. The joey then continues to drink milk from its mother for two more months before growing up fully.

Discovery and name

The word "quokka" comes from the Noongar language. The Noongar people may call them "quokka" or by other names such as 'ban-gup' or 'bungeup'.

In 1658, a Dutch sailor named Samuel Volckertszoon saw quokkas and thought they were wild cats. Later, in 1696, another Dutch explorer, Willem de Vlamingh, saw them too. He thought they were giant rats. He named the island they lived on 't Eylandt 't Rottenest, which means "the rat nest island" in Dutch.

Ecology

Quokkas live where there are many plants to eat and hide from animals like dingoes, red foxes, and feral cats. Most quokkas are found in a small part of South West Western Australia, with some on Rottnest Island and Bald Island near Albany. These islands don’t have many predators, so quokkas feel safer there. On Rottnest Island, quokkas live in many places, from dry scrublands to garden areas. They love to rest during the day under prickly Acanthocarpus plants. Quokkas can also climb trees.

Diet

Quokkas eat many types of plants, such as grasses, sedges, and leaves. One of their favorite foods is a small shrub called Guichenotia ledifolia. Visitors to Rottnest Island should not feed quokkas because human food like chips can make them sick. Even though Rottnest Island does not have much fresh water, quokkas get the water they need by eating plants. On the mainland, quokkas live only where it rains a lot each year. Like cows, quokkas chew their cud.

Population

Quokkas used to live in a big area of southwest Western Australia, but now their numbers have gone down. Today, they are mostly found on small islands like Rottnest and Bald, where there are fewer animals that might hurt them. On the mainland, quokkas face threats from animals like foxes and cats, and also from loss of their homes because of building.

Because of these challenges, quokkas are considered a vulnerable species.

There are thought to be around 4,000 quokkas left on the mainland, mostly in small groups. On Rottnest Island, their population is between 8,000 and 12,000, with snakes being their only natural predator there. In 2024, a new group of quokkas was found in the Perth Hills, which is exciting news for their conservation.

Conservation

The quokka is not in immediate danger, but it is considered threatened. Changes in the climate and landscape make it harder for quokkas to find food and shelter. Wildfires and human activities have also changed where plants grow, adding to the challenges quokkas face.

Quokkas need certain amounts of rain, but rising temperatures and dryness in Southwest Australia are making these areas rarer. Because of these threats, quokkas are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Severe bushfires are a serious risk, as quokkas take a long time to recover after such events.

Human interaction

Quokkas are friendly animals and often come close to people, especially on Rottnest Island. Even though they are nice to see, it is important to keep a safe distance.

There are rules to protect quokkas and people. It is not allowed to touch or feed them, especially with human food, because this can make them sick. Breaking these rules can lead to fines. Quokkas can carry harmful bacteria, so it is best to admire them from afar. You can see quokkas at places like Perth Zoo, Taronga Zoo, Wild Life Sydney, Australia Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, and Caversham Wildlife Park, but usually, you are not allowed to touch them.

Quokka selfies

In the mid-2010s, quokkas became famous online as "the world's happiest animals." Photos of their faces often look like they are smiling, but this is just how their faces are shaped. Many pictures of quokkas have become popular, and taking "quokka selfies" has become a fun trend on social media. Famous people like Chris Hemsworth, Shawn Mendes, Margot Robbie, Roger Federer, and Kim Donghyuk of iKON have joined in. Because of this, more tourists have been visiting Rottnest Island to see these friendly animals.