Population

Although numerous on the small offshore islands, it has a very restricted range and is classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where it is threatened by most introduced predatory species such as foxes, it requires dense ground cover for refuge. Clearfell logging and agricultural development has reduced this habitat, thus contributing to the decline of the species. The introduction of cats and dogs, as well as dingoes, has added to the problem, as has the clearing and burning of the remaining (swamp) lands.

Food

Quokka kangaroos, like all herbivoresand feed on grasses, herbs and leaves. In search of food, they climb up to 1.5 meters high. A multi-chamber stomach and special bacteria help them in the recycling of indigestible food.

Quokka with a baby

aaaaawwwh, so damn cute

Ecology

^{In the wild, its roaming is restricted to a very small range in the South-West of Western Australia, with a number of small scattered populations on the mainland, one large population on Rottnest Island and a smaller population on Bald Island near Albany. The islands are free of foxes and cats. On Rottnest, quokkas are common and occupy a variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.}

 

What it looks like:

The quokka weighs 2.5 to 5 kilograms and is 40 to 90 centimetres long with a 25 to 30 centimetres -long tail, which is fairly short for bigfooted animals. It has a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, it can climb small trees and shrubs. Its coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.

video

a Quokka is also sweet, even though it is aggressive

The Quokka

The Quokka the only member of the genus setonix, is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat.. Like other marsupials in the macropod family (such as the kangaroos and wallabies), the quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. It can be found on some smaller islands off the coast of Western Australia, in particular on Rottnest Island just off Perth and Bald Island near Albany. A small mainland colony exists in the protected area of two peoples bay nature reserve, where they co-exist with gilbert's potoroo.