8 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT QUOKKAS

Meet the quokka - the happiest animal in the world! These small, mostly nocturnal marsupials were once described by a Dutch explorer as “a kind of rat”, and they were once widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia and offshore islands.

Nowadays, the largest population make their home on Rottnest Island and Bald Island in Western Australia, but there is also a small colony on the mainland of WA. Other than that, they can’t be found anywhere else in the world, which is why so many people, including celebrities, visit Rottnest Island just to snap a selfie with a quokka. But while they’re adorable - there’s more to them than just looking cute.

Fast Facts

• Quokkas are small marsupials native to Western Australia.
• Known as the 'world's happiest animal' due to their smile.
• They are herbivores and mainly nocturnal.
• Populations are threatened by habitat loss and predators.
• Learn more fascinating facts below.

No doubt, there’s a lot to love about these smiling animals. Here are 8 interesting facts about quokkas that you might not have known!

1. Quokkas are related to kangaroos and wallabies

These little inhabitants of Rottnest Island and Bald Island in Western Australia are from the same family as kangaroos and wallabies known as Macropodidae. They move around like their cousins by hopping and bounding with their small feet and short tails. Because they’re marsupials, the mothers also carry baby quokkas, known as joeys, in little pouches!

2. Quokkas can climb trees

Aside from being happy jumping balls of fur, quokkas can also climb trees- if necessary! They can climb up to two metres high to grab leaves off trees, one of their favourite things to eat, as quokkas are herbivorous. They usually like to munch on native grasses and reach the leaves just above their head for snacks.

3. Quokkas are known as the happiest animal in the world!

It’s rare to see a quokka without a big ‘smile’ on their face! This, along with their friendly and endearing personalities, has earned them a reputation as the happiest animal in the world. Their smiling faces can be seen all over social media in the form of quokka selfies! In fact, there are over 20,000 quokka selfies on Instagram #quokkaspiration.

4. Quokkas can go for long periods without food or water

Quokkas can go for weeks without eating by living off the fat stores in their short tails; this is crucial to helping them survive in seasons where vegetation is more sparse. They can also go for months without drinking fresh water, extracting most of the water they need from the plants they eat.

5. They are very peaceful and love sharing spaces

These adorable critters aren’t territorial, which isn’t surprising, given how friendly they are. Unlike kangaroos, that do fight over territory, quokkas are happy to coexist peacefully with each other, so much that they even hop into shops on Rottnest Island regularly to say hello to everybody.

6. Although friendly, they aren’t harmless

Although quokkas are happy to see us and are approachable, it doesn’t mean we should pat or cuddle them. They’re still wild animals and can bite! So it’s best just to watch how cute they are from a distance and take some photos of them.

7. Quokkas regurgitate their food… and eat it again!

These herbivorous marsupials like to swallow their food whole without chewing, then regurgitate it later and eat it again. Their diet consists of native grasses and leaves as well as the bark of some plants.

8. Are quokkas endangered?

Sadly, quokkas are Vulnerable

Due to habitat destruction, climate change and invasive predators, quokkas are listed as Vulnerable to extinction under Australia’s national environment law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quokkas

Q. Are quokkas endangered?

A. Quokkas are listed as Vulnerable under Australia’s national environment law due to habitat loss, climate change, and introduced predators.

Q. Where do quokkas live?

A. Quokkas are mostly found on Rottnest Island and Bald Island in Western Australia, with small populations on the mainland.

Q. What do quokkas eat?

A. They are herbivores, feeding on native grasses, leaves, and occasionally bark.

Q. Why are quokkas called the world’s happiest animal?

A. Their facial structure gives the appearance of a smile, which has made them famous worldwide.

Q. Can you touch or feed a quokka?

A. No. Quokkas are wild animals and should never be touched or fed.

Q. How can I help conserve quokkas?

A. Support habitat restoration programs and WWF-Australia’s conservation initiatives to protect quokkas and other threatened species.

Want to help protect quokkas? Here’s how you can get involved

• Sign the petition and call on the Australian Government to commit to stronger protections for our wildlife and the wild places they call home.
• Discover if threatened animals need protection in your local area by using WWF’s My Backyard tool, and find out how well they’re being cared for.
• Tune in to Scat Chat with WWF to learn about the weird and wonderful ways that animal scat is being used to help wildlife conservation.
• Make a donation to WWF-Australia to help save our precious wildlife and protect the natural places they call home.