Quokka

The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod native to Western Australia. They are about the size of a large household cat. They can be found living off the coast of Western Australia on Rottnest Island and Bald Island, and among some smaller islands in the area. A small colony lives in Two Peoples Bay, a protected area on the mainland of Australia.

Like some other marsupials, the Quokka is a herbivorous and nocturnal animal. They live in habitats ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens rich in vegetation. The Quokka weighs an average of 2.5 to 5 kg and is 40 to 54 cm long with a tail that adds another 25 to 30 cm. The Quokka has a stocky build, and a short, broad head with rounded ears.

The Quokka looks like a short, miniature version of a kangaroo, but they are able to climb small trees. Their fur is brown in color, which fades to a light shade on their underside.

Quokka Statistics

Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Average Length: 40 to 54 cm (65 to 84 cm with tail)
Average Weight: 2.5 to 5 kg
Distribution: Western Australia

Quokka Classification

- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Infraclass: Marsupialia
- Order: Diprotodontia
- Family: Macropodidae
- Subfamily: Macropodinae
- Genus: Setonix
- Species: Setonix brachyurus

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