Setonix brachyurus

This small macropod, best known by its common name quokka, is a short-tailed marsupial weighing roughly 2.5 to 5 kilograms, with a stocky build, rounded ears, and a coarse brownish-grey coat. It is nocturnal to crepuscular, sheltering in dense vegetation during the day and emerging to browse on grasses, leaves, and stems at night. As a herbivore, it plays a role in seed dispersal and vegetation cycling within its native scrub and forest communities, and it serves as prey for native and introduced predators.

The species is endemic to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, with mainland populations occurring in forest, shrubland, and swampy or wetland habitats, and additional populations persisting on offshore islands such as Rottnest and Bald Island, where predator pressure is lower.

Mainland populations have declined substantially due to predation by introduced red foxes and feral cats, alongside habitat loss and fragmentation from land clearing and logging. Altered fire regimes, including both frequent burning and fire suppression, have degraded the dense understorey vegetation the species depends on for shelter, while broader habitat shifts linked to changing rainfall patterns add further pressure.

Conservation efforts include fox control programs, feral predator management, habitat protection and restoration, and monitoring of both mainland and island populations. Island populations, particularly on Rottnest Island, remain comparatively stable and support tourism-linked awareness efforts, though they face their own pressures from heat and habitat quality.

Overall, the species is classified as Vulnerable with a decreasing population trend. Island populations offer a buffer against extinction, but the long-term outlook for mainland populations remains dependent on sustained predator control and habitat management.