Quick answer
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) typically live around About 10 years. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Key takeaway
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) typically live around About 10 years. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Quokka lifespan in the wild
Field and museum records place most quokkas near About 10 years. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (2.5–5 kg (5.5–11 lb)) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.
What shortens quokka lives
Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever quokkas share landscapes with people.
What helps quokkas live longer
Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.
Quokka life stages
Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing quokkas in the field.
Where quokkas live
Quokkas are found only in a small part of southwestern Australia. The largest and most visible population lives on Rottnest Island near Perth, where the absence of foxes and cats has let them thrive and become remarkably tame.
Conservation and people
On the mainland, quokkas have declined due to habitat loss and introduced predators, and they are listed as Vulnerable. Visitors are asked never to touch or feed them; human food makes them sick, and handling is harmful and, on Rottnest Island, illegal.
Sources
Quokka FAQs
How long do quokkas live?
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) typically live around About 10 years. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
What is the scientific name of the quokka?
Setonix brachyurus — used in research and conservation listings for quokkas.
What do quokkas eat?
Quokkas are described as herbivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Scrub, heath, and forest.
Where do quokkas live?
They are associated with Scrub, heath, and forest. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of quokkas?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.