other names

Short-Tailed Wallaby or Short-Tailed Pademelon

DESCRIPTION

Males: 435mm to 540mm in length from head to tail. Tail length from 260mm to 310mm. Weight is between 2.7kg and 4.2kg. Grizzled grey-brown above with tinge of rufous. Fur is long, thick and course. Very short, rounded ears. Short tail.

Females: 400mm to 500mm in length from head to tail. Tail length from 245mm to 285mm. Weight is between 2.7kg and 3.5kg. Appearance as per male.

The Quokka can be found in southern parts of Western Australia - on Rottnest and Bald Islands with some isolated populations south of Perth to the Hunter River and including Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Torndirrup National Park, Mt Manypeaks National Park and Stirling Range National Park. It prefers densely vegetated and moist habitats however it also survives in the seasonally harsh habitat of Rottnest Island. Other habitats include heathland, shrublands and swamps. Local populations disperse during winter when food sources are good, however in the heat of summer groups of 25 to 150 can be seen around wetter areas feeding at night. During this time there is a well developed social organisation with the males being dominant and holding ranks, females and juveniles hold no ranking in the society. The Quokka diet varies depending on location, however primarily consists of succulent grasses, shrubs and sedges. On the mainland Quokka's breed throughout the year, however on Rottnest and Bald Islands births usually occur between February and April. Quokka's become sexually mature at around 18 months of age, and sometimes as young as 15 months of age. Females are polyestrous (having more than one breeding cycle) with an average cycle length of 28 days. Gestation is 26 to 28 days. The young leaves the pouch between 175 to 195 days old.