Rottnest Island, off the coast near Perth, Australia, is home to the largest Quokka population in the world. This small island is a haven for the adorable little critters because there are no predators. The Quokka residents, with no threats, have been multiplying steadily. Visitors to the Rottnest Bakery often see Quokka “guests” as they roam the grounds.
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They are prolific beggars. When they happen to be carrying a joey, they are challenging to resist. Unfortunately, they seem to have failed the reading instruction in whatever passes for Quokka schooling. The Rottnest Bakery has posted “No Quokka” signs around their exterior, but the Quokka ignore the signs and come anyway.
Indigenous Australians call it Wadjemup Island, although it is more commonly known as Rottnest Island. Whatever you prefer to call this Quokka haven, visitors will find much more than adorable animals. The island has 63 stunning beaches. Snorkelers can see 135 different tropical fish species living around the island in various coral “homes.”
Landlubbers can enjoy biking, hiking, and boating with 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) of walking trails and 22 kilometers (over 13.5 miles) of bike paths or roadways. The small island is less than seven miles long and just under three miles wide. Despite its small size, the island is a favorite tourist destination for everything packed into the tiny area. The Rottnest Bakery and its silly Quokka “guests” might be among the greatest attractions.
Learning More About The Quokka And Its Desire For Bakery Treats
Quokkas are related to kangaroos and wallabies. They enjoy leaves and berries and will climb trees like a tiny, misshapen koala to get them. They get around by hopping like bunnies or crawling on all fours. As nocturnal animals, they prefer to nap during the day, or at least the hottest part of the day.
If you spend any time on social media, you have probably seen the meme that questions Quokka parenting techniques. The meme accuses Quokkas of throwing their children at predators to escape. While somewhat valid, they don’t actually “throw” their offspring.
The practice is a survival technique shared by several macropods. The mother releases her joey from the marsupial pouch, leaving it to flail and distract the predator so she can escape. While it seems cruel to humans, it is based on the fact that if she escapes, she can continue to live and reproduce. It is similar to sacrificing one so that many may survive. It is a common practice in nature, so please don’t hate on Quokkas.
One of the most notable traits of the Quokka is their smile. Although they love it when people give them treats from the Rottnest bakery, human food is unsuitable for Quokkas. A general rule tourists should follow is “Do not touch, feed, or offer drinks to the Quokka.”
You can see more pictures of Quokkas on the Rottnest Bakery social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
Please share if these are the cutest Quokkas you’ve ever seen!
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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