Quokka << KWAH kuh >> is a kind of small wallaby. Quokkas and other wallabies are marsupials—that is, mammals that give birth to underdeveloped young. The babies then develop further in the mother’s pouch. Quokkas are found along the southwestern coast of Western Australia, and on nearby Bald Island and Rottnest Island. The name of the animal comes from Noongar, a language spoken by many Aboriginal people in the region.
A quokka is roughly the size of a house cat. Its body is 16 to 21 inches (40 to 54 centimeters) long, and it has a thin tail that is 10 to 12 inches (25 to 31 centimeters) long. Female quokkas weigh up to 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilograms), and males may weigh as much as 10 pounds (4.2 kilograms). Quokkas have small ears, a short face, and grayish brown fur. Like other wallabies, quokkas have large hind feet, which they can use to hop. Female quokkas have a pouch (fold of skin) to carry offspring.
Quokkas are herbivores (plant eaters). They eat grasses, succulents, and leaves from plants such as wattles (acacia trees). They may feed alone or in groups. Quokkas can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, shrublands, and wetlands. Quokkas are nocturnal (mainly active at night). During the day, they hide in thick vegetation or other shaded areas. Quokkas spend most of their time on the ground, but they may climb trees to reach food. They are able to survive long periods without food or water.
Quokkas can reproduce when they are around 18 months old. After about 25 to 28 days, the female quokka gives birth to one offspring. A young quokka is called a joey. A joey stays in its mother’s pouch for about six months. By eight months old, a joey is weaned—that is, it becomes able to take other food besides its mother’s milk. When it is about a year old, it leaves its mother to live on its own. Quokkas can live up to ten years.
Quokkas are considered a vulnerable species—that is, they are at risk for becoming endangered. Scientists estimate that between 7,500 and 15,000 quokkas remain in the wild. One major threat to the quokka is the red fox, an invasive species that hunts the quokka for food. The number of quokkas on the mainland has been declining since Europeans brought red foxes to Australia in the 1930’s. Biologists have found that when the number of red foxes is controlled, local quokka populations can recover.
Changing wildfire patterns can also make it difficult for the quokka to thrive in its regular habitat. Large wildfires can destroy quokka habitat completely. Such extreme fires are becoming more frequent and more severe as a result of climate change. In addition, where quokkas and people live together, controlled burns can help protect people from wildfires. Controlled burns are planned fires that remove old, dead plants to help new plants grow. However, controlled burns and other fire prevention precautions can make it harder for quokkas to find plants for food. Scientists are studying ways to create controlled burns without harming quokkas or other native species.
See also: Australia (Native animals.); Bushfires in Australia Marsupial; Wallaby.
