Quokka is the common name for the small marsupial Setonix brachyurus. A member of the larger group of marsupials, it is a compact, short-faced animal roughly comparable in size to a domestic cat. Like other members of the macropod assemblage—which includes kangaroos and wallabies—the quokka is herbivorous and most active at night.

Appearance and biology

Quokkas have rounded ears, a short tail relative to larger macropods, and a stocky build. Females possess a forward-facing pouch in which they carry and nurse their young, as is typical for many marsupials. Their coat ranges from grey-brown to reddish, helping them blend into dense vegetation.

Diet and behaviour

Primarily browsers and grazers, quokkas feed on grasses, leaves, and small shrubs. They are generally nocturnal, sheltering during daylight in thick cover to avoid heat and predators, and emerging after dusk to forage. Social behaviour can vary by location; on some islands they may be relatively tolerant of one another when food is plentiful.

Where they live

Quokkas occur only in a limited region off the coast of Western Australia. The largest and best-known population is found on Rottnest Island, located near Perth. Another island population exists on Bald Island, close to Albany, and a small mainland group persists at Two Peoples Bay.

Taxonomy

The quokka is the sole living species placed in the genus Setonix. Its scientific name is Setonix brachyurus, and it is classified within the family of macropods alongside kangaroos and wallabies.

Conservation notes

Because quokka populations are geographically restricted, they are vulnerable to habitat change, introduced predators, and altered fire regimes. Conservation efforts on islands and within protected mainland reserves aim to reduce these threats and support stable populations.