Quokka

***Setonix* *brachyurus***

Quokkas are considered to be one of the cutest animals on the planet because they often appear as though they are smiling. They are in the kangaroo family, Macropodidae, or simply ‘Macropod’ meaning ‘big foot’. These hopping marsupials are herbivorous and are mostly nocturnal.

Quokkas are endemic to Western Australia, inhabiting Rottnest and Bald Islands, as well as on the mainland in parts of the South West region. The mainland populations have greatly contracted since the arrival of Europeans.

Fun Facts!

Rottnest Island literally translates to ‘Rat’s Nest Island’ as the early Dutch explorers thought that the Quokkas there were some kind of giant rat.
The quokka is the only member of the Genus ‘Setonix’.
Quokkas can, on occasion, climb trees to browse on leaves.
Quokkas can go for weeks without food, surviving on fat stores in their short, broad tails.
Quokkas have one joey (baby) at a time but can occasionally have two.
Quokkas were called ‘Short-tailed Scrub Wallabies’ by early naturists but we now prefer the first nation’s name of ‘Quokka’.

A quokka standing on grass and dirt, with a background of blurred greenery.

Meet some of our friendly quokkas!

Here in South Australia, quokkas aren’t encountered in the wild. However you can book a private wildlife encounter to meet our friendly quokkas at Animals Anonymous HQ or have our mobile education team come to you!