Are quokkas endangered?

Quokkas are a vulnerable species. To ensure we protect the quokka from becoming endangered, continued monitoring from the island’s rangers helps keep the population thriving. You can do your part too: Observe the quokkas from a safe distance Don't touch them Let them forage for their own food instead of feeding them Stick to the paths Anyone who deliberately interferes with (including feeding) wildlife on Rottnest Island will be fined on the spot under the Rottnest Island Island Regulations 1988 and potentially prosecuted under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 with fines up to $10,000. Acts of animal cruelty may result in fines up to $50,000 and five years imprisonment under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 .

Quokkas Spotting - Where to see Rottnest Island's Quokkas

Home of the iconic quokka

Native to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, the quokka, or kwoka in Noongar, is an icon of the island.

Their story is literally written in the land. The name ‘Rottnest’ comes from 17th-century Dutch explorers who considered the animals to be large rats and bestowed the island, ‘Rat’s Nest’.

These curious and cheerful marsupials are recognised around the world, and it’s worth the journey across just to see them in their natural habitat.

Some facts about these curious critters

Native to the island

A type of small wallaby

Mainly nocturnal

They can climb trees

Quokka spotting for all seasons

On Wadjemup, you’re amongst the world’s largest quokka population with family groups found right across the island.

The quokkas have plenty of natural resources and no natural predators, so you’ll never be short of opportunities to experience them regardless of the time of year.

Nocturnal by nature, they spend most of the day sleeping and resting under shady bushes, but can easily be seen lazing around the island. Early mornings and late afternoons see most quokkas out and about, in various spots across the island.

During August, you can experience the childlike joy of seeing little joeys poking their heads out of their mothers’ pouches; come September, you can watch them take their first hops out into the world.

For an informative quokka experience with an educational focus, take one of the free guided quokka tours and see them up close while learning some interesting facts about this iconic animal.

For the best opportunity to experience a quokka in its natural environment, read our guide on quokka spotting in any season.

Quokka joey

A quokka in its natural environment

How to approach a Quokka

Quokkas in the settlement are friendly and trusting, and their natural curiosity will bring them closer to you if they feel safe. But, you should always remember that they are wild animals so always take care and maintain a reasonable distance of at least two metres.

If you move too quickly, you may startle them, so it’s best to wait nearby and let them come to you.

As cuddly as they may appear, you should never touch or feed a quokka and move back if they venture within two metres of you.

Preserving and protecting the world’s largest quokka population

Despite quokka populations continuing to thrive on the island, due to the abundant resources and lack of predators, they are still a vulnerable species.

To ensure we protect the quokka from becoming endangered, continued monitoring from the island’s rangers helps keep the population thriving.

You can do your part to help protect the island’s iconic marsupial by following some key guidelines:

Observe the quokkas from a safe distance
Don’t touch them
Let them forage for their own food instead of feeding them
Stick to the paths

A quokka family foraging

There’s more to this marsupial

Quokkas were first observed in 1658 by Dutchman, Volkersen. Later, Dutch explorer de Vlamingh named the island 'Rotte nest' (meaning 'rat's nest'), due to the quokka’s rat-like appearance.

The name ‘quokka’ comes from the Noongar name ‘kwoka', given to the animal by the Aboriginal people in the Augusta and King George Sound area of south-west Western Australia where quokkas are also found.

Like other marsupials, such as kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, bettongs, and potoroos, female quokkas carry their young in pouches. Quokkas give birth in late summer and their young remain in their pouches until August or September. After about one-and-a-half to two years of age, the quokka reaches maturity, reaching a size similar to a house cat and living to about ten years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

On Rottnest Island, you’re amongst the world’s largest quokka population with family groups found right across the island. Check out our guide to spotting quokkas on the island – from the main settlement to further afield.

Quokkas are herbivores so they eat a variety of plants such as leaves, seeds, and shrub buds, which is available in abundance on Rottnest Island. As a vulnerable species, it is illegal to feed the quokka (or any animal on the island) as any food and water that they haven’t collected themselves can be harmful to their health and wellbeing.

Quokkas have earned a global reputation for themselves as “the happiest animal in the world”. But it’s not just their perpetually smiling appearance that makes them seem cheerful - a result of the shape of their face and panting habit - but also their idyllic island home. With abundant resources and a lack of natural predators on the island, Rottnest Island is home to the world’s largest population of quokkas. Learn more about these incredible creatures and how to have your own memorable encounter with them in the wild in our Guide to Quokka Spotting.

Rottnest Island has the world’s largest wild quokka population, but you can also find quokkas in some zoos across Australia. A very small population also lives in the the south-west of mainland Western Australia.

No, quokkas can’t swim but they are known to climb trees to find food.

Quokkas are nocturnal and will spend most of the day sleeping and resting under shady bushes. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see quokkas out and about.

Quokkas are a vulnerable species. To ensure we protect the quokka from becoming endangered, continued monitoring from the island’s rangers helps keep the population thriving. You can do your part too:

Observe the quokkas from a safe distance
Don't touch them
Let them forage for their own food instead of feeding them
Stick to the paths

Anyone who deliberately interferes with (including feeding) wildlife on Rottnest Island will be fined on the spot under the Rottnest Island Island Regulations 1988 and potentially prosecuted under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 with fines up to $10,000. Acts of animal cruelty may result in fines up to $50,000 and five years imprisonment under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.

Wadjemup / Rottnest Island is full of wildlife you won’t find on the mainland. There are six distinct habitats that are abundant with animal, bird, and sea life, from lively scrub heath to the serene woodlands, the vibrant wetlands and expansive ocean.

Amongst the scrub you can spot countless bush birds including the golden whistler, red-capped robin, silvereye, and singing honeyeaters. On the lakes and in the skies, there are Australian shelducks, bridled and crested terns, waders, red-necked phalaropes, wedge-tailed shearwaters, and magnificent ospreys.

Dive under the sparkling water to find over 135 species of tropical fish. Plus, the wider ocean is home to migrating humpback whales, long-nosed fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Australian sea lions.

Lakeside, listen for amphibians like the moaning frog, motorbike frog, and squelching froglets. On the trails, keep an eye out for reptiles like bobtails and the king skink. And of course, watch the world-famous quokkas as they roam the natural landscape.