Quick answer
Quokkas feed as herbivores, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Scrub, heath, and forest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Quokkas feed as herbivores, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Scrub, heath, and forest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Quokka diet overview
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) are best summarised as Herbivore. Anatomy and habitat (Scrub, heath, and forest) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How quokkas find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Quokka role in the food web
As herbivores shaping plants and seeds, quokkas move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild quokkas. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
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 do quokkas eat?
Quokkas feed as herbivores, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Scrub, heath, and forest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the quokka?
Setonix brachyurus — used in research and conservation listings for quokkas.
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.