The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is one such example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country's harsh surroundings. Known as the “happiest animal in the world” due to its cute and friendly appearance, these creatures are now only found in a few isolated forests and small islands.
The quokka, a close cousin of the kangaroo, rocketed to internet fame when tourists began taking selfies with the animal, which is unafraid of humans and appears to smile for pictures.
The world has spoken: the always-smiling quokka is both the happiest and the most photogenic animal on the planet.
They're dubbed 'the world's happiest animal'
Quokkas aren't just the cutest creature in Australia — they've also been labeled the happiest animal in the world.
Overview. That quokka may be cute, but does it want a hug? The quokka says “No!” In Don't Hug The Quokka!, young readers get a lighthearted and friendly introduction to the concept of consent, learning that even the most adorable creatures might not want a hug—unless they say so!
Although friendly, they aren't harmless. Although quokkas are happy to see us and are approachable, it doesn't mean we should pat or cuddle them. They're still wild animals and can bite! So it's best just to watch how cute they are from a distance and take some photos of them.
1. Quokkas. The quokka, a pint-sized marsupial native to the islands off the coast of Australia and distantly related to kangaroos and wallabies, is nearly always smiling. Just browse through the fun photos captured in the viral hashtag “#quokkaselfie” to see these adorable critters in action.
Rottnest Island is known worldwide to be the home of the happiest animal on Earth – the Quokka (Setonix brachyurus). Close relatives of Wallabies, these tiny animals are found all over Rottnest Island, where their survival is largely attributed to the exclusion of any natural predators.
The Quokka, an irrestistibly adorable and happy-looking marsupial native to Australia, is now at the epicenter of what is possibly the cutest trend we've ever seen – the Quokka selfie.
The ratio of pets to people in Australia is 101:100 – there are more animal companions than Homo sapiens. In fact, more of us live in a house with a cat and/or a dog than with a child.
It's easy to see why the Quokka has been dubbed Australia's happiest animal - that gorgeous little smile! These heart melting creatures mainly reside on Rottnest Island, offshore from Perth, Western Australia.
Dogs are as smart as toddlers
Not only are they adorable, they're also crazy smart. They have emotions, they learn tricks, they recognize their owners, they can sense others' feelings—and that's not even all of the clever things dogs can do. According to Live Science, they're as smart as a two-year-old child.
Considered the softest animal in the world, chinchillas have 80-100 hairs per hair follicle (hole that hair grows out of), where humans only have 1-2. Their fur is so dense that a flea would suffocate if it tried to live in it!
Angora rabbits take our top spot as the fluffiest animals, being bred specifically for their soft, fine, long fur coats which are used to make Angora wool. The breed was brought to Europe in the early 18th century from Turkey, where it originated.
The rarest smile type is the complex smile, with only an estimated 2% of the population possessing this smile. This smile is rare because it requires three muscle groups to work simultaneously when smiling.
Bonobos and humans are the only primates to typically engage in face-to-face genital sex, although a pair of western gorillas has also been photographed in this position.
The Australian quokka, part of the kangaroo family, is the happiest animal on earth. At least, that's how it appears. Once described by a Dutch sea captain as 'a kind of rat as big as a common cat', the furry creatures always wear a cheeky grin – even when asleep.
Though quokkas are generally gentle and sweet, remember they're still a wild animal – they have sharp claws and teeth they will use against you if they feel threatened!
The quokka has little fear of humans and it is common for it to approach humans closely, particularly on Rottnest Island which is seen with the “Quokka selfie” viral internet sensation. It is, however, illegal for members of the public to handle the animals in any way on Rottnest Island.
Indigenous names include Ban-gup, Bungeup, Quak-a and Bangop. At the time of European settlement the Quokka was common in the south-west of Western Australia.
Natural predators of quokkas are dingoes and birds of prey; introduced dogs, cats, and foxes have led to significant population declines on the mainland. While not exactly a foreboding presence, nor possessing a formidable bite or kick, it appears the quokka's strategy is to avoid conflict in the first place.
There's something special about spotting a quokka in their natural habitat. Nocturnal by nature, they spend most of the day sleeping and lazing around the island so we suggest exploring in the early mornings or late afternoons to see these curious marsupials out and about.