Where does the quokka live?
The quokka lives in a small area of south-western Australia. It is found on a few small islands off Western Australia, especially Rottnest Island near Perth and Bald Island near Albany, and in isolated populations in forest and coastal heath between Perth and Albany. On the mainland, it prefers areas with dense vegetation, for more food and cover from dingoes, red foxes and feral cats. These predators are absent from the islands.
What does the quokka eat?
Like most macropods, the quokka eats many types of plants: grasses, sedges and leaves. It is mainly nocturnal and sleeps by day among spiky plants, whose spikes protect it. It has high water needs, which it meets mostly by eating vegetation. It should never be fed "human food" such as bread, which can cause dehydration and malnourishment. It is about the size of a domestic cat.
Is the quokka endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable. At the time of colonial settlement it was widespread and abundant, over an area of about 41,200 km². Today it is restricted to a very small range in south-western Australia, with a few small scattered populations.
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