Quokka: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Australian Mammals · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. In 1696, a Dutch explorer took quokkas for giant rats. He named their island "the rat nest island", which is why it is called Rottnest today.
2. Quokkas went viral online as "the world's happiest animals". Their famous smile is not a real smile, just the shape of their face.
3. By day, quokkas nap inside prickly Acanthocarpus plants. The spikes keep larger animals out and hide them while they sleep.
4. Like cows, quokkas chew their cud. Living where fresh water is scarce, they get most of the water they need from the plants they eat.
5. In late 2024, a new group of quokkas was found in the Perth Hills. Its exact location is being kept secret to protect it.

The quiz

1. What did a Dutch explorer mistake quokkas for in 1696?

• Small bears
• Giant rats (correct)
• Wild dogs
• Monkeys

He thought they were giant rats and named the island after a rat nest.

2. Why do quokkas look like they are smiling?

• They are always happy
• They smile to greet people
• They smile when eating
• The shape of their face (correct)

They do not really smile; it is just how their face is built.

3. Where do quokkas like to sleep during the day?

• In prickly plants (correct)
• In deep burrows
• On beaches
• At the top of tall trees

Spiky Acanthocarpus plants are their favourite daytime shelter.

4. Which farm animal do quokkas resemble in the way they eat?

• Pigs
• Chickens
• Cows (correct)
• Horses

Quokkas chew their cud, like cattle.

5. Where was a new quokka population found in late 2024?

• In the Perth Hills (correct)
• In Sydney Harbour
• In New Zealand
• In Tasmania

It was discovered in the Perth Hills, and its location is kept secret.

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