Quokka Unique

Animals Unique | Quokka Unique | Quokka Classification and EvolutionThe Quokka is a small marsupial That is natively found in parts of the south-west of Australia and on only two islands off the south-west coast. The Quokka is one of the smallest species in the world Wallaby, and most distinctively differs from other Wallabies with Their short and barely-furred tail and small Hind legs.

 

 Out of the roughly 50 known Kangaroo and Wallaby (and other marsupial) species on the continent however, the Quokka is one of three Whose Ancestry is still fairly Hazy today. The fact That the Quokka browses for food rather than simply grazing makes it quite different to other species, but Despite all this, many agree That They are most closely related to the Rock Wallaby.Quokka Anatomy and AppearanceThe Quokka is a small species of Wallaby That has a rounded and compact body. Their Hind legs and tail are much shorter in comparison to Those of many Wallaby species, but allow the Quokka to hop through the thick vegetation and tall grasses with Immense speed. The dense fur of the Quokka is fairly coarse and usually brown or gray in color, with reddish tinges around the face and neck, and Generally lighter in color on the Underside. Along with it's rounded body, the Quokka also has small and rounded ears, and a rounded snout That is tipped with a black nose. 

 

 

Wallaby Unlike other species, the tail of the Quokka has hardly any fur on it at all and They also do not need it to balance whilst They are hopping along.Quokka Distribution and HabitatHistorically, the Quokka had quite a wide distribution and was once found throughout the coastal regions of south-western Australia. Today however, the Quokka has been restricted to three remote regions, only one of the which is actually on the Australian mainland. The most Numerous Populations of Quokka are found on Rottnest Island and on neighbouring Bald Island, with a few isolated groups inhabiting the Bushland That also surrounds the city of Perth on the mainland. In these island environments, Quokka are most commonly found in thick forest, open woodland and areas of scrub That are close to fresh water. Their preferred habitats are always close to water, and the Quokka can also be found along the edges of swamps.Quokka Behaviour and LifestyleThe Quokka is a very Sociable and friendly animal That inhabits the south-western Australia in small family groups, the which are dominated by the lazy. 

 

 

Despite this though, the Quokka is not known to be territorial with up 150 individuals known to have over-lapping home ranges. Although They are known to share these habitats peacefully most of the time, lazy Between fights are not unheard of, particularly on a hot day when They Compete for the most Sheltered spots. The Quokka is a nocturnal animal That spends most of the hot day, resting in the shade of the trees and will return to the same Often spot every day. At night, the Quokka then begins to browse for food using tunnels through the long, grasses to move about unseen.Quokka Reproduction and Life CyclesThe breeding season for the Quokka tends to occur in the cooler months Between January and March, when a single joey is born after a gestation period of just a month. Like all other babies marsupial, the joey manages to crawl into it's mother's pouch completely unaided, when it then attaches Itself to one of the female's teats. The Quokka Their babies suckle from the mother in the pouch for around 6 months whilst They continue to develop. At this time, the joey emerges for the first time and begins to explore it's surroundings but Remains close to the female, continuing to suckle on her milk for at least another couple of months. In captivity though, breeding can take place all year round once the individual is mature enough to mate at about a year old.Quokka Diet and PreyLike other species Wallaby, the Quokka is a vegetarian, meaning it's herbivorous diet That is solely comprised of the surrounding plant material. The Quokka most commonly feeds on different grasses That line That They Make That tunnels through the dense vegetation. They are also known to eat leaves, and fruits and berries when They are available. 

 

 

Although the Quokka Mainly browses for food on the ground, They are also known to climb about a meter or so up into the trees, and also swallow food without chewing it Their. The Quokka then regurgitates the undigested material in the form of a CUD, the which is also eaten. They have no need to drink the vast amounts of water and are said to be Able to go for months without drinking at all.Quokka Predators and ThreatsBefore European colonists reached the coastal regions of south-west Australia, the Quokka Populations were Thriving and were widespread throughout the area. With people however, CAME domesticated predators like Cats, Foxes and Dogs and Their settlements also attracted wilder animals Including Birds of Prey and Dingoes. Since the introduction of these predators to the Quokka's habitat, Their population numbers have dropped considerably. They are also now restricted to small pockets of Their natural habitats on mainland Australia due to loss of habitat to growing human settlements, as the demise of Their daytime resting sites is thought to be linked to the declining population numbers.Quokka Interesting Facts and FeaturesQuokka family units are most commonly found in areas close to one another, where there is a decent source of fresh water. Even though these They prefer moist environments however, Quokka's are known to actually gather most of Their moisture from the vegetation That They eat, meaning That They can also be found in regions That are actually quite far from the nearest river or stream. 

 

 

Despite the obvious differences Between the Quokka Wallaby and other species, Their small size has enabled them to Become Masters of the undergrowth. The Quokka creates tunnels That They use as runways through the dense vegetation, then the which They are extremely fast Able to hop along when Threatened by a predator.Quokka Relationship with HumansSince the 1930s, the Quokka Populations have been isolated in three remaining areas (two of the which are on islands) Because of the introduction of foreign predators. The Red Fox That Came to Australia with European settlers has actually Caused the most damage to this ground-dwelling marsupial, as They were eaten on both the mainland and on the islands That Quokka inhabited the south-west along the coast. Now however, the Quokka on Rottnest Island Populations in particular, attract Numerous tourists every year and although the Quokka are very friendly towards these people, foods like biscuits That are fed to them, Often Their upset stomachs.Quokka Conservation Status and Life TodayToday, the Quokka has been listed by the IUCN on Their Red List as Vulnerable That Is an animal in it's surrounding environment. The highest Populations today are found on Rottnest Island, along with Bald Island, where They are thought to be happily sustained due to the lack of Red Foxes. There are however, now concerns over the Rottnest Island population due to Increasing development on the island, Mainly for recreational purposes.

Quokka Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Macropodidae
Genus: Setonix
Scientific Name: Setonix brachyurus
Common Name: Quokka
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: south-west Australia
Habitat: Dense vegetation close to water
Colour: Brown, Grey, Red
Skin Type: Fur
Size (L): 40cm - 54cm (16in - 19in)
Weight: 1.5kg - 4.5kg (3.3lbs - 10lbs)
Top Speed: 32kph (20mph)
Diet: Herbivore
Prey: Grasses, Leaves, Fruits
Predators: Foxes, Cats, Dogs
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Group Behaviour: Family units
Life Span: 5-10 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 10-12 months
Gestation Period: 27 days
Average Litter Size: 1
Name Of Young: Joey
Of Weaning Age: 8 months
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Estimated Population Size: 20.000
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Rounded body, ears and snout
Fun Fact: Makes runways through the long grasses!