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 inhabit some smaller islands off the coast of Western Australia, particularly Rottnest Island just off Perth and Bald Island near Albany. Isolated, scattered populations also exist in forest and coastal heath between Perth and Albany. A small colony inhabits a protected area of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, where they coexist with the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo.

Description

The quokka is a small animal, about the size of a house cat, weighing between 2.5 to 5 kilograms and measuring 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, who 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, possibly from the words gwaga or gawaga. Today, the Noongar people may call them by this name or by another, 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, also saw them and thought they were giant rats. He named the island they lived on 't Eylandt 't Rottenest, meaning "the rat nest island" in Dutch.

Ecology

Quokkas live in areas with lots of plants for food and to 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 different places, from dry scrublands to garden areas. They love to rest during the day under prickly Acanthocarpus plants, which are tough for bigger animals to walk through. 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 in places where it rains at least 600 mm (24 in) each year. Like cows, quokkas chew their cud.

Population

Quokkas used to live across a large area of southwest Western Australia but their numbers have dropped a lot over the years. Today, they are mainly found on small islands like Rottnest and Bald, where they have fewer predators. On the mainland, quokkas face threats from animals like foxes and cats, as well as loss of their homes due to development. 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 of disappearing, but it is considered threatened. As the climate changes, the Australian landscape changes too, making it harder for quokkas to find the plants they need for food and shelter. Wildfires and human activities have also shifted the locations of these plants, adding to the challenges quokkas face.

Quokkas prefer areas with specific rainfall levels, but rising temperatures and increasing dryness in Southwest Australia are making these areas less common. Because of these threats, quokkas are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Severe bushfires pose a serious risk, as quokkas recover slowly after such events.

Human interaction

Quokkas are very friendly and often come close to people, especially on Rottnest Island. Even though they are approachable, it is important to remember that quokkas can sometimes bite, particularly children.

There are rules to protect quokkas and people. It is illegal to touch or feed them, especially with human food, as this can make them sick. Breaking these rules can lead to fines. Quokkas can also carry harmful bacteria, so it is best to admire them from a distance. 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" because photos of their faces often look like they are smiling. This is just how their faces are shaped, not because they are actually smiling. Many pictures of quokkas have become very 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.