Quokka

Setonix brachyurus

The quokka is a small marsupial of southwestern Australian forests and grasslands. Nocturnal and loosely social, it feeds on low vegetation.

Key facts

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a herbivore animal classified as Mammal · Diprotodontia · Macropodidae.
Primary habitats are forest · grassland, with a range across Australasian.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is loose group, and conservation status is VU (Vulnerable).
The quokka is a small marsupial of southwestern Australian forests and grasslands.
It uses shrubland, moist grassland, and island vegetation.
Typical lifespan: 10-20 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses shrubland, moist grassland, and island vegetation. Dense grass and thickets provide common daytime shelter.

Body length is about 40-54 cm and weight about 2.5-5 kg. A rounded face, short ears, strong hind legs, and short tail are characteristic.

It is active at night, foraging alone or in loose groups. In some places it occurs near people, but it still needs space as a wild animal.

It is herbivorous, eating grasses, leaves, shoots, and shrub vegetation. In dry settings, plant moisture can be important.

The young is born undeveloped and grows in the mother's pouch. After emerging, it stays near the mother while learning to feed.

Its status is listed as Vulnerable. Its limited range makes it sensitive to introduced predators and habitat change.