Quokka, the world's happiest animal, captures the hearts of people with their smile

Kumi San Diego

DID YOU KNOW? 

Quokkas are tiny animals that have short, fluffy brown-gray fur, little round ears, small black noses, and the most contagious and photo-worthy smiles. They are known for being cute, playful, and adorable and can live for months without water and store fat in their chubby little tails to help them survive when food is scarce.

Quokkas can move through dense vegetation and long grasses with incredible speed because their hind legs and tails are substantially shorter than those of many wallaby species. Unlike other wallaby species, the quokka's tail has almost no fur on it, and thus they don't need it to balance while hopping along. Quokkas were found exclusively on the mainland of Western Australia, but only a small number of them can now be found there. The majority of them can currently be seen offshore on Rottnest Island near Perth or Bald Island near Albany. They love to climb small trees and shrubs in search of their next meal and to rest. They are often found in tall grass near water and in small family groups. 

Though quokkas are generally gentle and sweet, they are still wild animals with sharp claws and teeth that they will use if they feel threatened. Nonetheless, they are famous for their smiles, which are primarily caused by the way their mouths are shaped and how they open and stick out.

Source/s:

A. (2020, June 8). Quokka. Animals a to Z for Kids. https://www.animalsatozforkids.com/quokka

Bennett, E. (2020, December 15). Fun facts about the Quokka, the happiest animal on earth. Real Word. https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/facts-about-the-quokka/

Meet the Quokka. (n.d.). The Nature Conservancy Australia. https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/what-we-do/our-priorities/wildlife/wildlife-stories/meet-the-quokka/

20 Fun Facts About Quokkas, Complete With Adorable Photos. (n.d.). https://www.yha.com.au/travel-and-tours/traveller-stories/20-fun-facts-about-quokkas/

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