Lyla Lindsey
Quokkas, the happiest animal in the world, are native to Western Australia. They are found on Rottnest Island, a tropical landmass surrounded by coral reefs located west of Perth, as well as on the mainland in thick vegetation along rivers. The name 'Quokka' is derived from the indigenous name 'Gwaga', given to the animal by the Aboriginal Noongar people of southwest Western Australia. The Quokka population on Rottnest Island is accustomed to humans, with 'Quokka selfies' becoming popular among tourists. However, it is important to note that Quokkas closest to human settlements are more likely to be unhealthy due to consuming junk food left by visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quokka Scientific Name | Setonix brachyurus |
| Alternative Name | Short-tailed scrub wallaby |
| Relation to Other Animals | Members of the macropod family (herbivorous pouched marsupials) and are related to wallabies, kangaroos and pademelons |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, spending their days sleeping and avoiding the hot sun |
| Location | Rottnest Island, Bald Island and mainland Western Australia |
| Population | High density on Rottnest Island |
| Human Interaction | Tourists are advised not to feed or touch quokkas |
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What You'll Learn
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
The quokka population on Rottnest Island has become accustomed to human presence, and the island has become famous for "quokka selfies". The island's quokkas are known for their friendly and endearing personalities, always appearing to have a smile on their face. This has earned them a reputation as the happiest animal in the world, with their smiling faces taking over social media.
Quokkas are nocturnal marsupials, spending their days sleeping and avoiding the hot sun. They are part of the macropod family, which includes kangaroos and wallabies, and they move around by hopping and bounding with their small feet and short tails. Baby quokkas, or joeys, are carried in pouches by their mothers.
While quokkas on Rottnest Island are used to human presence, it is important to respect their space and not feed or touch them. Human food and drinks can be harmful to their health, and it is best to let them approach you rather than chasing them. The early morning and early evening are the best times to spot quokkas, and the Thomson Bay Settlement and the area around Wadjemup Lighthouse are recommended spots for quokka-watching.
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Bald Island, Western Australia
Bald Island is a World Conservation Union Category IA nature reserve located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It is one of the largest islands off the South Coast of Australia, with an area of 8.09 square kilometres (1,999 acres). The island is composed almost entirely of granite and rises to a maximum height of 310 metres (1,017 ft). It is located 1.5 kilometres (1 mi) offshore from Cheynes Beach and was isolated around 10,000 years ago by rising sea levels.
Bald Island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It contains 104 species of plants, including large stands of peppermint trees (Agonis flexuosa) and forested stretches of Rottnest Island teatree (Melaleuca lanceolata). The island is also home to five reptile species, including a gecko and four skinks. In terms of fauna, Bald Island is known for its population of quokkas, with an estimated 600-1,000 individuals. Quokkas are small macropods, about the size of a domestic cat, and are the only member of the genus Setonix. They are herbivorous and mainly nocturnal, preferring areas with more vegetation for food and cover from predators.
The quokka population on Bald Island is smaller than that of Rottnest Island, but they are the only remaining native population that does not face any predators. Quokkas were once widespread and abundant in Western Australia, but their distribution has decreased significantly due to introduced predatory species, habitat loss, and climate change. As a result, they are now classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
In addition to quokkas, Bald Island is also home to the endangered noisy scrub-bird. In 1992, a translocation effort brought five male scrub-birds to the island, and as of 1993, at least two had survived. This was followed by the relocation of three more males and three females in 1993. The estimated population of calling male birds on the island in 2004 was 59 individuals.
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Perth Hills
Quokkas, the "world's happiest animal", are small marsupials with big smiles. They are native to Australia and are also known as short-tailed scrub wallabies. Quokkas are members of the macropod family (herbivorous pouched marsupials) and are related to wallabies, kangaroos and pademelons. They are nocturnal and spend their days sleeping and avoiding the hot sun.
Quokkas were once found throughout southwest Western Australia but their populations have decreased dramatically since the 1930s due to several threats, including predation by foxes, land clearing for agriculture and mining, and bushfires. They are considered vulnerable under State and Commonwealth legislation in Australia. While quokkas have been extensively studied on Rottnest Island, research on mainland quokka populations is limited.
In December 2024, a new quokka population was discovered in the Perth Hills by the local charity Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association Inc (BNAA) through its BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program. This is the first time that quokkas have been photographed by the general public in the Perth Hills, which is located in southwestern Australia, east of the city of Perth. The BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program is a recent initiative that aims to address declining river health through the creation of a new type of community catchment plan.
This discovery is significant for the conservation of the species as it will help strengthen efforts to protect mainland quokkas and other threatened native species. The BNAA will continue to work with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to conduct additional research, monitoring, and protection efforts. The exact location of the quokkas in the Perth Hills will remain confidential, and the best place to see quokkas is still considered to be Wadjemup-Rottnest Island.
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East of Albany
Quokkas are small macropods, about the size of a domestic cat, and are the only member of the genus Setonix. They are native to Australia and are not found in captivity outside of the country. They are mainly nocturnal and spend their days sleeping and avoiding the hot sun. They are members of the macropod family, which includes wallabies, kangaroos, and pademelons, and they are herbivores, eating a variety of grasses, sedges, and leaves.
The quokka's range has been reduced over time, and they now occupy a small area in the southwest of Western Australia, including some smaller islands off the coast, such as Rottnest Island and Bald Island near Albany. On the mainland, their range is restricted to areas with more vegetation for cover from predators and a source of food.
Rottnest Island, in particular, is known for its large population of quokkas, and it is a popular tourist spot to see these charming animals. The island is accessible via a short ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle and offers the perfect opportunity to spot quokkas in their natural habitat.
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Two Peoples Bay
Quokkas are small macropods native to Australia. They are members of the macropod family (herbivorous pouched marsupials) and are related to wallabies, kangaroos and pademelons. Quokkas are widespread in Rottnest Island, a tropical landmass surrounded by coral reefs located west of Perth. The island is accessible via a short ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle.
However, quokkas can also be found on the mainland, particularly in the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. The mainland distribution is found in patches from the Perth Hills all the way through to the east of Albany, where the most south-eastern population can be found at Two Peoples Bay.
The Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is home to a small colony of quokkas, where they coexist with the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo. The reserve is located about 70km from other quokka-spotting locations and boasts picturesque beaches and parkland. The quokkas in this reserve tend to be cryptic and are found in thick vegetation alongside rivers.
To spot quokkas in Two Peoples Bay, it is recommended to wait until dusk and use a thermal camera to locate their heat signatures. This technique has been successfully used by wildlife watchers to capture images of mainland quokkas.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest population of quokkas can be found on Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle in Western Australia. They can also be found on Bald Island and in small colonies on the mainland of Western Australia.
Quokkas are listed as "Vulnerable" to extinction under Australia's national environment law due to habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive predators.
The scientific name for quokkas is Setonix brachyurus. They are also known as short-tailed scrub wallabies.
