Quokkas are one of Australia's most loved animals but are virtually unknown outside of the country. They are highly friendly and sociable with little fear of humans and are sometimes known as 'the world's happiest animal'.
Recently a series of pictures captured by an Australian cyclist who was followed by a Quokka went viral, allowing many people to see the animal for the first time.
Campbell Jones was riding his bicycle on Western Australia's Rottnest Island when he came across a Quokka who took a special interest in him. Luckily he had his GoPro camera with him at the time and the pictures he captured are simply adorable.
The 21-year-old said that he believed his first interaction with the friendly creature was a short one but as he began to try to cycle away, the Quokka just kept following him.
"As I walked back to my bike, the quokka chased after me. I put down the GoPro and it jumped at me as if to say, 'Come back.'"
After that, Jones spent even more time with the cute creature snapping a series of shots. One shows the Quokka jumping at the camera, another sitting beside Jones, and another with the Quokka climbing on top of Jones as he lay on the ground.
After posting the images on facebook, they ended up being shared thousands of times by people across the globe. Jones was then even asked to appear on tv shows to tell of his experience.
It is thought that between 4,000 and 8,000 Quokka live on the 12 square mile Rottnest Island and that scattered populations exist elsewhere in Australia, particularly Albany island. They are about the size of a domestic cat and eat mostly leaves and grasses.
The species is unfortunately regarded by conservationists as being vulnerable, meaning that long-term survival of the species is under threat. When Western explorers first landed in Australia, the Quokka covered huge swathes of the country, but as a result of hunting and habitat destruction, the areas in which they are now found is far more limited.
While Quokka are extremely friendly towards humans, it is advised not to approach them as there have been some isolated cases of Quokkas biting people. It is also advised not to feed the Quokka as their digestive systems are not accustomed to most food given to them by humans and can result in them getting sick.
A post shared by Aussie Travel & Cute Quokkas! (@cambojones2020)
A post shared by Aussie Travel & Cute Quokkas! (@cambojones2020)
A post shared by Aussie Travel & Cute Quokkas! (@cambojones2020)
h/t: Earth Wonders
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