FaunaHub

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)

MammalMarsupialHerbivore

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus), a small round-faced wallaby, on Rottnest Island.

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus).

Image: May Wong, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small marsupial — a member of the kangaroo and wallaby family — about the size of a domestic cat, with rounded ears, a short tail, and a curved mouth that gives it a famously “smiling” expression. It has become an internet sensation as the “world's happiest animal,” especially through photos taken on Rottnest Island off Western Australia, where it is abundant and unusually approachable.

That cheerful look is just the shape of its face, of course — but the quokka is a genuinely charming and important part of Western Australia's wildlife.

Conservation note: despite being common on a few islands, the quokka is assessed as Vulnerable, with mainland populations much reduced. Verify current status at iucnredlist.org.

Habitat & Range

Quokkas live in southwestern Western Australia, with strongholds on offshore islands — especially Rottnest and Bald Islands — and smaller, scattered populations on the mainland. They favour dense vegetation, scrub, and swampy thickets that offer shelter, food, and cover from predators.

Diet

Quokkas are herbivores that browse and graze on grasses, leaves, stems, and shrubs. They can survive long dry periods by drawing on moisture and reserves, and they sometimes climb low into shrubs to reach foliage. Like many marsupial herbivores, they may re-ingest food to extract more nutrients.

Behavior

Quokkas are mainly nocturnal, resting by day in shady, sheltered spots and becoming active in the cooler hours. On Rottnest they are famously bold around people, but feeding or handling them is harmful and discouraged. Females carry a single joey in a forward-opening pouch. Quokkas can hop like other wallabies and move nimbly through dense low vegetation along well-used runways.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The quokka's “smile” has made it a tourism icon, and “quokka selfies” are popular on Rottnest Island — though wildlife authorities stress that the animals should not be touched or fed (human food harms them, and it is against the rules). On the mainland, quokkas have declined due to habitat loss, altered fire regimes, and introduced predators such as foxes and cats. Consult the IUCN Red List for current status.

More photos of the quokka

A quokka with young, showing the species' rounded body and short tail.

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) with young.

Image: Hesperian, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Quokka

Why does the quokka look like it's smiling?
Its 'smile' is simply the natural shape of its face and mouth, combined with relaxed cheeks — not an expression of emotion. Because quokkas on Rottnest Island are bold and approachable, people capture lots of close-up photos that highlight this look, which is how the 'happiest animal' reputation took off.
Where can you see quokkas?
The most famous place is Rottnest Island off Western Australia, where quokkas are abundant and used to people. They also live on Bald Island and in scattered mainland populations in the southwest, though they are far harder to spot on the mainland.
Can I feed or touch a quokka?
No — and on Rottnest it's against the rules. Human food can make quokkas sick, and touching or chasing them causes stress and can spread disease. The recommended approach is to observe quietly and let any 'quokka selfie' happen on the animal's own terms, without contact or feeding.
Are quokkas endangered?
They are assessed as Vulnerable. Although quokkas are common on a few predator-free islands, mainland populations have shrunk due to habitat loss, changed fire patterns, and introduced foxes and cats. Current status should be checked against the IUCN Red List.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.