Quick answer
The quokka is a small, cat-sized marsupial from southwestern Australia, famous for a facial shape that makes it look like it is smiling. Quokkas are nocturnal herbivores that carry their young in a pouch, are found mainly on Rottnest Island, and typically live around 10 years.
Key takeaway
The quokka is a small, cat-sized marsupial from southwestern Australia, famous for a facial shape that makes it look like it is smiling. Quokkas are nocturnal herbivores that carry their young in a pouch, are found mainly on Rottnest Island, and typically live around 10 years.
Quokka overview
Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a mammal listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 2.5–5 kg (5.5–11 lb); lifespan around About 10 years.
Quokka ecology
Diet: Herbivore. Habitat: Scrub, heath, and forest. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Quokkas and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild quokkas are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Quokka profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
The 'world's happiest animal'
The quokka's rounded cheeks and upturned mouth give it a permanently cheerful expression, which has made it a social-media sensation. The look is just anatomy, not emotion, but it has helped turn the quokka into a beloved symbol of Western Australian wildlife.
A pouched herbivore
As a marsupial, the female quokka raises her tiny, underdeveloped young in a forward-opening pouch. Quokkas are herbivores that eat leaves, grasses, and shrubs, and they can survive long dry spells by drawing on fat stored in their tails.
Sources
Quokka FAQs
What are key facts about quokkas?
The quokka is a small, cat-sized marsupial from southwestern Australia, famous for a facial shape that makes it look like it is smiling. Quokkas are nocturnal herbivores that carry their young in a pouch, are found mainly on Rottnest Island, and typically live around 10 years.
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.