Iruni Kalupahana Jadetimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia
The quokka, Setonix brachyurus, is a diminutive but extraordinary marsupial, a term that is often used to refer to it as the "world's happiest animal" due to its seemingly perpetual smile. Native to Australia, this adorable creature thrives primarily in Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, where it has become an emblem of the island's wildlife. In contrast to its larger cousins, kangaroos and wallabies, the quokka is simple to identify with its diminutive size and cute face. At 16 to 21 inches tall and 5.5 ounces to 11 pounds in weight, it is heavily muscled for its compactness to enable jumping about in the dense undergrowth of its seaside habitat. While pretty tiny, the quokka lives up to 10 years in the wild, a reflection of how adaptable it is against nature's problems.
Unusual Eating and Sleeping Habits
Quokkas also share some unique dietary behaviors unlike most marsupials. While most herbivores will eat along the ground, such as grass or leaves, quokkas have been known to ascend tree trunks to chew on leaves or berries, something that is normally reserved for animals like koalas. In spite of not being well-known for climbing, these small marsupials will go as high as five feet in order to get to food. This tree climbing ability may be limited compared to that of their animal kingdom relatives, but it says a lot about their adaptability. In the way they eat, quokkas share yet another peculiar trait with giraffes. Both animals use their large molars to grind fibrous plant material and release moisture to allow them to live in dry environments. In sleep, quokkas' sleeping position is what distinguishes them further. They will often sleep sitting up, with their heads resting on their feet, resembling little furry statues, and are mostly nocturnal, avoiding the hot Australian sun.
Quokka Behavior
Despite their small size, quokkas have a big personality with a combination of curiosity and wariness. Quokkas hop rabbit style, using their strong back legs to propel them through the undergrowth, creating deeply grooved paths through the dense vegetation. The hopping is not just for getting around; it is also employed as a way of creating safe routes through the bush in which quokkas can pass safely over predators. These tunnels are like those of rabbits and other small mammals, and this is another intelligence level in their survival tactics. They remain mostly on the ground but occasionally climb short elevations, particularly when searching for food. Quokkas are more lonely socially but can be seen in small groups during foraging seasons. Their adorable, allegedly friendly attitude towards people has made them a favorite among visitors, but their natural caution so they are not as readily available as they appear.
Conservation and Human Interaction
The growing popularity of the quokka, particularly on Rottnest Island, has brought about a delicate balance between tourism and conservation. As tourists flock to the island to pose with these "smiling" marsupials, one must understand the delicate nature of such encounters. Quokkas, even being affable towards humans, should never be fed or touched, as this will interfere with their natural behavior and render them human dependent. Fortunately, there are strict laws in place to ensure the quokka population is protected. Feeding of the quokkas is forbidden and tourists are encouraged to respect the animals' space to maintain the purity of the species. Responsible tourism money is reinvested into maintaining the island's ecosystem, conservation, and monitoring the health of the quokka population. All of these projects are significant in the preservation of natural quokka habitat in an undisturbed state so that future generations of quokkas and visitors may enjoy their own unique appeal. And while the smile of the quokka might be beguiling, it is tourist respect and attention which will make them secure in the future.
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