Quokka: where and when to see them

The quokka is a small wallaby native to southwestern Australia, with particularly well-known populations on offshore islands. Rounded ears, a compact body and a short muzzle create its familiar appealing expression, but this is not evidence of human-like happiness. Mainland populations are much more restricted and difficult to observe than the approachable animals on Rottnest Island. Habitat change, introduced predators and altered fire regimes have contributed to its vulnerable conservation status.

Size

40–54 cm head-body length

Weight

2.5–5 kg

Lifespan

About 10–14 years

Status

Vulnerable

Quokkas are mainly active from dusk through the night, spending hot daylight hours resting in shade or dense vegetation. They travel along runways through cover and can climb low vegetation to reach food. Social gatherings occur around favorable resources, but they do not form tightly coordinated herds. Females usually raise one young at a time in a pouch. Animals accustomed to visitors may approach people, which makes responsible avoidance of feeding especially important. Despite their nocturnal activity, quokkas are also crepuscular, often seen at dawn and dusk. They utilize established trails within dense vegetation, allowing efficient movement through their territories. They are known to exhibit allogrooming, suggesting social bonding within groups.

• The quokka is the only living species in the genus Setonix.
• It can climb low shrubs and small trees.
• Females can delay development of an embryo.
• The name Rottnest arose from an early European comparison of its quokkas to rats.

On Rottnest Island, observation is possible throughout the year, with cooler months often providing more comfortable walking conditions. Early morning and late afternoon are preferable to midday heat. Seasonal reproduction differs between island and mainland populations, so no universal breeding window applies. During the cooler months, juvenile quokkas are more frequently seen emerging from pouches, adding another dimension to viewing opportunities. Early morning also offers the best chance to observe their natural foraging behaviors before they retreat for the day.

Mainland quokkas favor dense, moist vegetation around swamps and drainage lines within southwestern forests. Island populations also occupy scrub and more open mosaics where shelter is available. Reliable cover is important for protection from heat, disturbance and predators. On the mainland, their range is now restricted to a few isolated populations, primarily within the Jarrah Forest Bioregion. These fragmented populations highlight the importance of protected areas for their survival.

Quokkas eat grasses, leaves, stems and other plant material, selecting foods according to local and seasonal availability. They can obtain substantial moisture from vegetation, but this does not make water irrelevant. Bread, processed snacks and other visitor foods are unsuitable. They are hindgut fermenters, allowing them to digest fibrous plant matter efficiently. This digestive strategy means they spend a significant amount of time foraging to meet their energy needs.

Common name

Quokka

Scientific name

Setonix brachyurus

Animal group

Mammals

Size

40–54 cm head-body length

Weight

2.5–5 kg

Lifespan

About 10–14 years

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Unlike larger southwestern wallabies, the quokka has a compact rounded body, small rounded ears and a relatively short, sparsely furred tail. Their fur is typically a grizzled brown-grey, providing camouflage against the forest floor and scrub. The short, dark, hairless tail distinguishes them from other small macropods which often have longer, furred tails.