Quokka
Encyclopedia
The Quokka the only member
of the genus Setonix, is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat. Like other marsupial
s in the macropod family (such as the kangaroo
s and wallabies
), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. It can be found on some smaller island
s off the coast of Western Australia
, in particular on Rottnest Island
just off Perth
and Bald Island
near Albany
. A small mainland colony exists in the protected area of Two Peoples Bay
, where they co-exist with Gilbert's Potoroo
.
in the South-West of Western Australia, with a number of small scattered populations on the mainland, one large population on Rottnest Island
and a smaller population on Bald Island
near Albany
. The islands are free of fox
es and cats. On Rottnest, it is common and occupies a variety of habitat
s ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
s. Its coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.
300 fine can be issued by the Rottnest Island Authority for such behaviour. However, prosecution of the offence can result in a fine of up to $2000.
mistook them for rats and named the island "Rotte nest", Dutch for "rat nest".
game Dungeon Crawl
includes the Quokka as one of the ungulate
/quadruped monsters, represented by a 'q', and is the only extant species in that category. The in-game description simply states: "A pesky little marsupial that is a bit like a rat, but not quite."
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
of the genus Setonix, is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat. Like other marsupial
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
s in the macropod family (such as the kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
s and wallabies
Wallaby
A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod . It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name.-Overview:...
), the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. It can be found on some smaller island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s off the coast of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, in particular on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
just off Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Bald Island
Bald Island
Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The island is offshore from Cheynes Beach and is a protected area which was declared a World Conservation Union Category IA nature reserve Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern...
near Albany
Albany, Western Australia
Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
. A small mainland colony exists in the protected area of Two Peoples Bay
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
Two Peoples Bay is a protected area east of Albany. The area is accessible by 2WD vehicles. The bay itself, including two small secluded beaches, faces due east and is protected from the Southern Ocean by a headland formed by the granite massif of Mount Gardiner...
, where they co-exist with Gilbert's Potoroo
Gilbert's Potoroo
Gilbert's Potoroo is an Australian marsupial, sometimes called a rat-kangaroo, that is critically endangered. It is described as pointed in the face and about the size of a rabbit. It lives in a restricted area on the southwest coast of Western Australia. Gilbert's Potoroos now exist on Bald...
.
Ecology
In the wild, its roaming is restricted to a very small rangeRange (biology)
In biology, the range or distribution of a species is the geographical area within which that species can be found. Within that range, dispersion is variation in local density.The term is often qualified:...
in the South-West of Western Australia, with a number of small scattered populations on the mainland, one large population on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
and a smaller population on Bald Island
Bald Island
Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The island is offshore from Cheynes Beach and is a protected area which was declared a World Conservation Union Category IA nature reserve Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern...
near Albany
Albany, Western Australia
Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
. The islands are free of fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
es and cats. On Rottnest, it is common and occupies a variety of habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.
Description
It weighs 2.5 to 5 kg and is 40 to 90 cm long with a 25 to 30 cm tail — which is rather short for a macropod. It has a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, it can climb small trees and shrubShrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s. Its coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.
Interaction with humans
The Quokka has no fear of humans and it is common for it to approach them closely, particularly on Rottnest Island. It is, however, illegal for members of the public on Rottnest Island to handle the animals in any way. An infringement notice carrying a A$Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
300 fine can be issued by the Rottnest Island Authority for such behaviour. However, prosecution of the offence can result in a fine of up to $2000.
Status
Although numerous on the small offshore islands, it has a very restricted range and is classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where it is threatened by most introduced predatory species such as foxes, it requires dense ground cover for refuge. Agricultural development has reduced this habitat, and has thus contributed to the decline of the species. Introduced cats and dogs, as well as dingoes, have added to the problem, as have the clearing and burning of the remaining swamplands.European discovery
The Quokka was one of the first Australian mammals seen by Europeans. The Dutch mariner Samuel Volckertzoon wrote of sighting "a wild cat" on Rottnest Island in 1658. In 1696 Willem de VlaminghWillem de Vlamingh
Willem Hesselsz de Vlamingh was a Dutch sea-captain who explored the central west coast of Australia in the late 17th century.- Vlamingh and the VOC :...
mistook them for rats and named the island "Rotte nest", Dutch for "rat nest".
Name
The word Quokka is derived from a Nyungar word, which was probably Gwaga.In popular culture
The roguelikeRoguelike
The roguelike is a sub-genre of role-playing video games, characterized by randomization for replayability, permanent death, and turn-based movement. Most roguelikes feature ASCII graphics, with newer ones increasingly offering tile-based graphics. Games are typically dungeon crawls, with many...
game Dungeon Crawl
Dungeon crawl
A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinthine environment, battling various monsters, and looting any treasure they may find...
includes the Quokka as one of the ungulate
Ungulate
Ungulates are several groups of mammals, most of which use the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, to sustain their whole body weight while moving. They make up several orders of mammals, of which six to eight survive...
/quadruped monsters, represented by a 'q', and is the only extant species in that category. The in-game description simply states: "A pesky little marsupial that is a bit like a rat, but not quite."