Basic Information
Quokkas are part of the marsupial (animals with pouches) family, which means they carry their babies in pouches just like kangaroos!
Quokkas - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Quokkas For Kids
Scientists named the quokka Setonix brachyurus, which means “bristle claw” (for Setonix) and “short tail” (for brachyurus), which comes from Latin and Greek (special languages scientists use)!
A group of quokkas is called a colony (a big family group), and they live together in family groups of 25–150 members!
Quokkas are about the size of a house cat, measuring 40–54 centimeters (16–21 inches) from head to tail!
Adult quokkas typically weigh between 2.5 to 5 kilograms (5.5 to 11 pounds), about the same as a small dog!
Quokkas can live up to 10 years in the wild and even longer (up to 15 years) when cared for in zoos!
Quokkas are herbivores (plant-eaters), which means they only eat plants!
The largest population (group) of quokkas lives on Rottnest Island in Western Australia, where between 8,000 and 15,000 of these amazing creatures make their home!
Quokkas have excellent night vision (they can see really well in the dark) and are most active during the evening and early morning hours!
Quokkas don’t have fancy names for male or female — they’re just called male quokkas and female quokkas!
Quokkas belong to the same family as kangaroos and wallabies, called Macropodidae (mak-roh-POD-ih-day)!
Quokkas were first discovered by European settlers (people who came to live in Australia) in 1696 when Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh spotted them on an island near Perth!
Quokkas are so special that they’re protected by Australian law, making it illegal (against the law) to hunt or harm them!
Quokkas are friendly marsupials (animals with pouches) and are sometimes called “the happiest animals on Earth” because of their natural mouth shape that looks like a smile!
Physical Characteristics
Quokkas have super strong back legs that let them hop quickly and jump over small bushes or low branches!
A quokka’s tail can grow up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and helps them balance while hopping!
Quokkas have thick, grayish-brown fur that protects them from both heat and cold!
Quokkas have special teeth that continuously (always) grow throughout their lives because they wear down from eating tough plants!
Quokkas have round, furry ears that help them hear well, especially for sounds at night.
Quokkas have sharp claws on their front paws, which they use to dig for food and climb small trees!
Quokkas have a small, black, hairless nose that helps them smell yummy plants while they hop around looking for food!
Female quokkas have a forward-facing pouch — the opening points toward their head, just like kangaroos and wallabies do!
Quokkas have eyes on the sides of their heads, which helps them watch for danger while they eat!
Quokkas have special digestive systems (tummies) that help these plant-eaters break down tough plants that other animals can’t eat!
Behavior & Intelligence
Quokkas create paths through vegetation (plants) that they use like tiny highways to travel quickly through their territory (home area)!
Quokkas are clever marsupials (animals with pouches) — they travel along well-worn paths to find food at night and remember to return to the same safe shelter spots each morning!
Quokkas make high-pitched squeaking sounds when they’re scared!
Quokkas form family groups and have strong bonds with their family members
Quokkas create small shelters under dense vegetation (thick plants) to protect themselves from the hot sun!
Quokkas can learn to recognize regular feeding times in areas where they interact (meet) with humans!
Quokkas have excellent problem-solving skills and can figure out how to reach food in difficult places!
Quokkas are excellent climbers and can climb trees up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) high to reach tasty leaves!
Quokkas are social animals that live in groups and sleep during the day under shady bushes!
Habitat & Survival
Quokkas mainly live in areas with dense vegetation (thick plants) that provides them with shade and protection!
Quokkas are adaptable (flexible) animals that can survive in areas with limited fresh water by getting most of their moisture (water) from the plants they eat!
Quokkas prefer to live in areas with plenty of low-growing plants and shrubs that provide both food and shelter!
Quokkas can survive in temperatures up to 44°C (111°F)!
Quokkas have little fear of humans and often approach people closely, particularly on Rottnest Island!
Quokkas create resting spots in thick vegetation where they shelter during the day and can quickly escape from predators!
Quokkas can survive in areas affected by bushfires (forest fires) by finding refuge (safe places) in unburned patches of vegetation (plants)!
Quokkas create networks (systems) of paths that connect important resources (things they need) like food, water, and shelter!
Life Cycle
Baby quokkas stay in their mother’s pouch for about 6 months before they start exploring the world!
A mother quokka can produce special milk for her older joey outside the pouch while having a younger joey in her pouch!
Baby quokkas are incredibly tiny when born — about the size of a grain of rice or lima bean — weighing only about 1 gram!
Young quokkas start eating solid food when they’re about 6–8 months old and are fully weaned from milk by about 8 months old!
Female quokkas can have up to two babies each year!
Baby quokkas learn to hop when they’re about 6 months old!
Quokka babies leave their mom’s pouch at around 5–6 months, nurse until about 8 months, and then start living on their own.
Adult quokkas reach their full size when they’re about 2 years old!
