The Cute Quokka

The Quokka is a small marsupial that looks like a small Wallaby, but unlike other Wallabies it has a short stiff tail and short hind feet.

They have a stocky build, rounded ears and a short broad head, they are around 40 to 55 centimetres long with a 25 to 30 centimetre tail and weigh from 2.5 to 5 kilograms.

They eat grasses, sedges, succulents and foliage, and get a lot of their moisture from the plants they eat when the water is not plentiful.

They are friendly little fellows and this has lead to some problems on Rottnest Island because people want to feed them and if they are fed the wrong things such as biscuits and bread it can cause problems for the little guys.

If you visit Rottnest Island and you see them, please don't feed them.

Breeding time on Rottnest is from January to March. Gestation period is around 27 days, a single Joey is born.

The Joey stays in the mothers pouch for around 6 months. The Joey then leaves the mothers pouch but continues to suckle for another 2 or so months.

Quokkas are found on Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia, where they are plentiful, they are also found in small groups on the mainland in the southwest of Western Australia.