The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a medium-sized macropod marsupial mammal. It is related to the kangaroo and the wallaby.
The Quokka has a small, brown, stocky, furry body with strong hind (back) legs, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Its underbelly is buff coloured. It looks like a miniature kangaroo, but it can climb small trees and shrubs.
It grows to 40-54 centimetres (16-21 inches) in length, which is the size of a domestic cat. Its tail measures 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches) long, which is short for a macropod.
It is native to Australia, on small islands off the coast of Western Australia, particularly on Rottnest Island and Bald Island.
It is nocturnal, active mainly at night. It is herbivorous, eating plants, leaves, and vegetation.
The female is pregnant for 30 days. She gives birth to one live young, called a joey. Both male and female young are called joeys. The joey lives in its mother’s pouch for six months. For two months after it leaves its mother’s pouch, it stays close to its mother.
It lives, on average, for 10 years.
[Location of photographs: Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM