What is the world's happiest animal?
According to the internet, it's decidedly the quokka, the wild Australian critter taking social media by storm.
The quokka's signature grin is what leads folks to believe that they're always happy. Science, however, has not proven this one way or another. The best explanation for this cheesy, happy-looking grin is simply an adorable result of evolution.
These 10 facts about quokkas will provide you an even more in-depth look at the little mammal's life. Once you learn more about the animal, you can decide whether or not they're really the happiest animal in the world!
Regardless of whether or not this lofty claim is true, these animals are quite cute, and all of the selfies that folks have been posting all over the web are making them go viral.
Please SHARE with your family and friends who also love quokkas!
Thumbnail Photo: Flickr / John Blyberg
1. They Are Vulnerable To Extinction
As of a 2008 assessment by the IUCN, the quokka is vulnerable to extinction. The organization cites that there may be fewer than 10,000 of these cute creatures left in the wild.
2. The Mainland Population Is Particularly Important
While there are 10 identified locations of quokka habitation, the mainland population is specifically crucial to the well-being of the species. This population has the most genetic diversity, which is important for the long-term survival of a species, according to Australia's Department of the Environment and Energy.
3. They Were First Mistaken For Large Rats
When Willem de Vlamingh, a Dutch traveler, first visited an Australian island where quokkas reside, he mistook them for very large rats. This is why the island is called Rottnest — Dutch for "rat's nest."
4. They Are Considered Wallabies
So, they're not rodents. What are they? They are wallabies, cousins of a sort to the kangaroo. Babies are born just one month after mating, and the next six months are spent in Mama's pouch getting strong and developed, according to Animal Fact Guide.
5. They're Peaceful Creatures
According to A-Z Animals, quokkas are not territorial amongst each other, and 150 individuals can overlap on a single home range. They are happy to share their space with each other! This doesn't mean that the claws don't sometimes come out on hot days when males want the most sheltered, cool spot to relax.
6. They Are Herbivores
Quokkas eat mainly grasses and leaves, and are considered browsing herbivores. They can go for long periods of time without having food or water, and feed at night alone or in small bands, according to the Australian Museum.
7. They Eat Their Regurgitated Food
When quokkas eat that leafy vegetarian diet, they don't chew the food. They swallow it whole. This is not an incredibly efficient way of getting the most nutrients out of the food, so, what do they do? They regurgitate their un-masticated food and eat it for a second time. This time, the food is already partially digested, so the quokka's body can get more out of it, according to A-Z Animals.
8. Mainland Quokkas Breed All Year Long
The Australian Museum also notes that, on the mainland, quokkas normally produce two offspring a year, as they can breed all year-long. Quokkas on Rottnest Island, however, only produce one joey per year due to a shorter mating period.
9. Their Name Is Often Mispronounced
Their name has been notoriously mispronounced, with some even trying to fit an extra syllable in there and saying "Koo-wah-kah," but according to the Cambridge Dictionary, the correct way to say it is "kwok-uh."
I suppose, though, that you could call them "Fred" and they wouldn't really know the difference.
10. It's Illegal To Pet Them
There are very strictly defined laws saying that you cannot interfere with the fauna in the wild of Australia. You should also not feed them unless you are a trained professional. If you don't know the proper diet, it can be harmful to the animal, and you'll also get slapped with a $750 fine, according to Western Australian Current Regulations.
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