Quokka

About

The quokka is often called “the world’s happiest animal” thanks to its naturally upturned mouth, giving it an adorable, smiling appearance. Native to Western Australia, especially on Rottnest Island and Bald Island, these small marsupials are about the size of a house cat, weighing around 2.5–5 kg.

Quokkas are nocturnal and herbivorous, and despite their friendly and curious demeanor, they’re wild animals and are protected by law, with strict rules against feeding or handling them. One of the most fascinating things about quokkas is their ability to survive on very little water, often going long periods without drinking by getting moisture from the vegetation they eat.

Their playful attitude and famous photogenic smiles have made them a social media sensation, but in the wild, they face threats from habitat loss and introduced predators like foxes and cats.