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Quokka

  • Conservation Status Vulnerable
  • Distribution South west region of Western Australia, including Rottnest Island and Bald Island
  • Life Span Up to 10 years
  • Gestation Approx 27 days

Visit Australia's Famously Happy Quokkas

Meet the Quokka, Australia's potentially smallest but cutest smile. These small marsupials are famous for looking cheerful all the time. Truth is, they're not actually smiling. It's just the shape of their jaw and cheeks. But it's easy to see why to fall for that face!

Quokkas are close cousins of Kangaroos and Wallabies. Most of the time, they hop around on the ground, but they're surprisingly good climbers too, scaling shrubs and small trees for a feed. They're tough little survivors, Quokkas can go long stretches without water, and store fat in their tail as a backup food supply.

Come and meet the Quokkas in real life!

A quokka with its head outstretched appearing to come towards the camera. In the background are green leafy plants

Fun Fact

Quokkas aren't actually smiling. Their permanent 'happy' expression comes down to their facial structure, not their mood!

Go to the Quokka info page
A quokka looking at the camera straight on, appearing to wink. Its mouth is hanging wide open showing its pink tongue.

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We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.

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A vibrant red and orange bird