#629: Quokka

The Quokka is an adorable marsupial, among the first seen by Europeans. She is about the same size as a domestic cat and related to the kangaroos. She comes out at night to feed on vegetation. Her range is mostly limited to offshore islands in southern Australia, mainland populations having been decimated by introduced predators such as foxes, cats and dingo. Deforestation is another threat. On the islands,such as Rottnest, she has no fear of humans and is fairly common, however it is illegal to handle her in any way.

Her apparently smiling face and overall adorable-ness, led to an influx of Quokka selfies and photobombs here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/quokka-happiest-animal-in-world_n_2426133.html