Quokka

SPECIES Quokka
TAXONOMY Setonix brachyurus
STATUS Vulnerable (Redlist.org); Endangered WA (ala.org.au)

Native to Western Australia, the Quokka is one of the smallest wallaby species. They were first described in 1696 by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh. Landing on what is today known as Rottnest Island, he observed that the island was inhabited by giant rants and hence the name ‘Rotte Nest’ (translated as ‘rat’s nest’) became known.

Distribution
Quokkas were once distributed throughout the coastal regions of the Western Australian mainland. Today, fragmented populations can be found on the southwest mainland and isolated within two small islands just off the coast from Fremantle. 

The largest population (approximately 10,000) resides on the tourist destination of Rottnest Island. They have become accustomed to humans and famous for their winning ‘grin’ frequently immortalised through ‘quokka selfies’ posted online on social media! The isolation of the island habitat has become essential for the survival of the species. A high percentage of quokkas frequent human settlement areas as there is abundant food and water available. 

Habitat
Within the island environments, Quokkas prefer habitats close to fresh water. They will make their home on the edges of swamps or among thick grasses. They are known to create tunnelling through the bushland to use as both shelter and a quick escape route.

Feeding
Quokkas are strictly herbivores however differentiate from other wallaby species in that they browse for food rather than simply grazing. Their diet is varied and complete with shrub buds, leaves, grasses, succulents, seeds, berries, and roots. 

When food is scarce, they are known to climb trees in search of leaves. They can also draw energy from the stored fat in their tails. Quokkas have adapted to require very little water, taking the moisture from their food sources. 

Behaviour
Quokkas are mainly nocturnal, preferring to rest in the daytime in the shade and often in the same location. They also have the remarkable ability to regulate their body temperature.

They create tunnels throughout dense vegetation and long grasses, using these both as shelter as well as an escape route. Their small size, agility, and speed considers them as ‘masters of the undergrowth’! They can reach a top speed of up to 32 kph. They will bound and hop along the ground, stopping on occasion to sit up on their hind legs and look around.

Quokkas are also a very sociable and friendly animal retaining small, male dominated family groups. They are generally not territorial and are shown to coexist peacefully.

Appearance
Although considered as belonging to the Wallaby species, they are differentiated by their nearly hairless, short tail and their small hind legs. They have a round body, round ears, and a snout. Their fur can be a variation or combination of brown, grey, and/or red. The underbody fur is lighter. They range in size from 40 to 54 centimetres, weighing from 1.5 to 4.5 kilograms. The males are usually larger in size overall.

It is their short hind legs and tail that allows them to obtain speed within the grass tunnels.

Reproduction
Quokkas are a marsupial mammal. They reach sexual maturity at 10 to 12 months. During the short breeding season in late summer, the female will give birth to a single neonate after just 27 days of gestation. The underdeveloped young will find its way to the mother’s pouch and latch onto her teat for suckling. The joey will remain in the mother’s pouch for up to six months and be fully weaned by 8 months. In abundant environments, they will live up to 10 years.

Threats
European colonisation brought with it the introduction of predators such as foxes, domestic dogs, and cats. Since the 1930s, Quokka populations had been impacted to the extent that they became isolated to a small area on the mainland in coastal Western Australia, Rottnest Island, and Bald Island. Since that time, both islands have been declared as Class A Reserves and these predators have been removed. 

Quokka populations on Rottnest Island are remaining healthy and thriving. They attract numerous tourists every year and are highly protected. As they are inquisitive and friendly animals, they have fallen victim to exposure of human foods and disease. There also remains the continued threat of land development for increased tourism to the area.

Updated 5 May 2021