Quokka

MarsupialsGreater Bilby Koala Marsupial Mole Numbat Quokka Western Quoll Yellow-Footed Antechinus

The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod (family Macropodidae), in the subclass Marsupialia. A herbivorous and mainly nocturnal, they are found in a small area of south-western Australia.

They are a popular on Rottnest Island (just off Perth) and have also been seen on Bald Island near Albany. There are other isolated and scattered populations that exist in forests and coastal heath between Perth, Northcliffe and Albany. A small colony also inhabits a protected area of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, where they co-exist with the critically endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo. They have also been seen in Stirling Range National Park (although not after the fires and prescribed burns in 2024).

The Quokka shows its darkest side in times of panic and danger. When the Quokka sees a predator nearby, it will often sacrifice its own baby and throw it out of its pouch. The ‘joey’ will scream cries of distress and the predator will then detect and eat the baby quokka, sparing the mothers life.

Following is a female Quokka with joey.

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Informal: Gnathostomata
• Class: Mammalia
• Subclass: Marsupialia
• Order: Diprotodontia
• Suborder: Phalangerida
• Superfamily: Macropodoidea
• Family: Macropodidae
• Subfamily: Macropodinae
• Genus: Setonix
• Species: Setonix brachyurus

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MarsupialsGreater Bilby Koala Marsupial Mole Numbat Quokka Western Quoll Yellow-Footed Antechinus

MacropodidaeKangaroo, Wallaroo, Euro, Wallaby Kangaroos Black-footed Rock Wallaby Eastern Grey Kangaroo Red Kangaroo Wallaroo Western Grey Kangaroo

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