Do quokkas make good pets? No, not. I know they are the prettiest little things on earth, but maintaining one as a pet is difficult. They are not simply difficult to care for. Quokkas are likewise prohibited in every country on the planet.
Because not everyone reading this page has heard of quokkas, I will briefly describe the animal in the next part.
What Is A Quokka?
Quokkas are small marsupials comparable to kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, possums, and koalas. “marsupial” defines species where the mother bears her children in an abdominal pouch.
Even though the first explorers who encountered quokkas mistook them for gigantic rats (hence the name of the island with the highest population, Rottnest), they resemble little kangaroos and are related to groundhogs and capybaras.
Many consider quokkas the happiest animal on earth because of their constant smiles. Rottnest attracts tourists worldwide who wish to take a photo with one of the little animals. They are inquisitive and will gaze directly into the camera.
All the hilarious and charming selfies circulating social media generate the desire in many individuals to get a quokka as a pet.
Pet Quokkas Are Illegal
Unfortunately, quokkas are endangered. Scientists believe that just 12,000 individuals migrate around southwest Australia, the majority at Rottnest island. Principal risks include habitat loss and invasive predators such as foxes.
The Rottnest Island Authority Act from 1987 restricts how people are permitted to engage with quokkas. And let me say. The legislation is quite stringent in this instance. You are not even permitted to touch a quokka in the wild.
If a legislature member catches you, you will be fined $300. And the cost increases if you capture one in the wild or attempt to move it to another nation.
Even though most western nations, such as the United States and Canada, have their own rules to protect endangered animals from poaching, Australian laws make it difficult to own a quokka as a pet.
What if they were legal, though? Would they be suitable pets?
Quokkas Aren’t Domesticated
Besides all legal considerations, domestication is one of the most important components of any foreign pet. And the same holds with quokkas.
When most individuals hear the phrase domestication, they see cats and dogs. Yet, other species can also be domesticated. Several ostrich species are surprisingly tamed, for instance. The same holds for various types of fowl.
Yet, quokkas have never been domesticated and never will be. Indeed, they can be domesticated, acclimated to humans, and maybe submissive. Yet, domestication involves several generations of selective breeding.
The difficulty with keeping wild creatures like quokkas is that they can exhibit undesirable behavior. They appear to grin throughout the day, yet they can become violent and destructive.
They often do so because they are kept facing the incorrect way and are bored.
Moreover, quokkas mark their area with their urine. It is nearly hard to instruct them not to litter. A prospective purchaser would have to tidy up after the previous occupants.
Quokkas Aren’t Usually Friendly
Even though they are considered the happiest mammal on the planet, you may still catch them off, guard. This is because their “smile” has nothing to do with their actual disposition.
Well, they are typically nice and interested. It appears from the photographs that they like socializing with people.
Yet, they may become aggressive monsters if they feel threatened or provoked. This is especially true when quokkas are trapped or carrying their young (joeys).
Its sharp claws may not be lethal to humans, but they may be painful.
It’s Hard To Care For A Pet Quokka
Quokkas are indigenous to a particularly unique location. They require a warm environment. Occasionally, it does not rain for months. Unless they reside in Australia, pet owners who acquire a quokka will struggle to replicate its native habitat.
The nutrition of quokkas also requires considerable consideration. They are predominantly herbivorous but may occasionally consume small animals such as snails and lizards.
You would have difficulty feeding a quokka what it knows from Australia in America. Many plants cannot grow in different environments.
You Will Not Locate A Veterinarian
Considering there are no pet quokkas, locating a veterinarian with the necessary skills to treat your cuddly companion would be difficult. While there may be some veterinarians in Australia who rescue and treat quokkas, there are none in the United States or Canada.
Well, it may suffice if you can locate someone with a broad familiarity with marsupials. But I’m guessing it’s not too dissimilar. Veterinarians who can treat unusual animals typically work full-time at zoos, animal parks, or sanctuaries.
In addition, all legal considerations come into play at this point. For example, a veterinarian who treats an illegally kept animal must notify the legislature. Frequently, these individuals wish to safeguard both the individual animal and the species as Frequently. These individuals wish to safeguard both the individual animal and the species.
Pet Quokkas Do Cost A Lot Of Money
There are no quokkas for sale. So, it would be difficult to find a newborn quokka at a local pet store or from a breeder.
Possibly one is available on the black market. Yet, you would likely have to pay extremely exorbitant fees that reach tens of thousands of dollars. The trader would assume a substantial risk, which must be reflected in the selling price.
