The quokkas scientific name is Setonix brachyurus.

The quokka is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat.

Quokkas have short tails, short faces, and round ears on the top of their head. They have

short brown fur and a round nose. 

Essentially the Quokka looks very much like other wallabies.It has short, very coarse and thick grey-brown fur over most of the body with lighter parts underneath. Its facial features consist of a naked nose on a short, broad face with rounded furry ears.The tail is relatively short and mostly devoid of hair. In contrast, the hair on the feet extends to cover its claws.

Quokkas are known for their smiling face, which gave them the nickname “happiest animal on earth”. it is the only member of the genus setonix. like other marsupials in the macropod family (such as kangaroos and wallabies), the quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

A quokkas habitat often consists of places with dense vegetation and water sources. They can adapt to different environments including gardens, scrub, and Aric areas. They also use prickly plants and trees for shelter.

Quokkas live in Australia, specifically in a narrow strip of range in southwest western Australia. They can also be found on Rottnest Island and Bald Island.

The Quokka is a habitat specialist. In the north of its range it prefers dense understorey, less than 10 years since fire, adjacent vegetation age that is greater than 25 years and the absence of feral predators. This habitat meets dietary and predator refuge requirements . In the south of its range, quokkas are strongly linked to complex vegetation structure (minimum of three layers), low densities of woody debris and habitat patchiness (between 0 and 450 m to an alternative vegetation age) 

The Quokka also has relatively high water requirements, which necessitates close proximity to fresh water.

Quokkas are endangered. There are only around 20,000 left in the world and we must do our part to ensure their survival.

They are becoming extinct due to habitat loss, predation by foxes and feral cats, disease, and human activities such as farming and logging operations. Since the 1900s, its population has decreased by more than 50 percent.

To help save the quokkas from going extinct we can: Join a conservation group or make a donation to help protect their habitats, spread awareness, help protect their habitat by supporting effect to reduce logging in western Australia, or if you visit an area with quokkas, do not touch or feed them.

For their safety and yours, dont touch any of the animals on the island. While quokkas are certainly curious, touching and petting them is not permitted. Touchy quokkas can make then sick, spread disease, and even cause mothers to abandon their young if they carry and unfamiliar scent.