This animal named quokka always looks smiling. Therefore, some call the quokka the happiest animal in the world. Hmm…is this animal pleased?
- Quokka comes from Rottnest Island, a small island covering about 19 sq km near Perth, Western Australia.
- Rottnest Island comes from the word rotte nest, which means rat’s nest in Dutch.
- The island’s name was given by Willem de Vlamingh, a Dutch explorer who thought the quokka was a rat.
- Animals with the scientific name Setonix brachyurus include marsupials or marsupials. Quokkas are related to kangaroos and wallabies.
- At first glance, the quokka looks like a big mouse. This animal weighs about 1.5 to 4.5 kg.
- Quokka reaches adulthood at the age of 1 year. In the wild, quokkas can live for 5 to 10 years.
- A female quokka only gives birth to one cub. Mother quokka takes care of her young until they can live independently.
- The young quokka lives and suckles in the mother’s pouch until the age of 6 months.
- Quokka lives in small groups that are still related to the family. The group is led by a dominant male quokka.
- This brownish-gray furry animal often moves around like kangaroos and wallabies.
- Quokka is a herbivorous animal that eats a variety of grasses and shrubs.
- When food is hard to find near where they live, the quokka uses the fat as a store of energy stored in its tail.
- Fresh water sources on Rottnest Island are very few. However, the quokka gets its water from its food. These animals can survive without drinking for up to a month.
- The quokka’s face has muscles that make it look like it’s smiling. People who saw it also smiled.
- Quokkas are not afraid of humans. When there are visitors who come to Rottnest Island, some quokkas even approach it. Animals that look like they are smiling are often invited to take selfies.
Baca juga: Do You Know? Dolphins, Intelligent Marine Mammals
