The Quokka, Setonix brachyurus, was described by Dutch explorer William de Vlamingh as a kind of rat as big as a household cat. His first sighting of the Quokka was on an island off the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia.

William named the small island “Rottenest” (“rat nest”) now called Rottnest Island, in honour of his discovery in 1696.

Everybody loves a Quokka, West Aussies, celebrities and tourists from around the world flock to Perth and take the ferry across to the Rottnest Island just to get a selfie with these cute little marsupials, they have been classified as the happiest animals on earth.

Quokkas on the island have been photographed more than any other Australian animal in the wild close up, including the kangaroo or koala, simply because they love and enjoy human interaction.

It is almost impossible for visitors not to be excited when they see them smiling. You will smile and be happy every time you look at your “Happy Quokka” poster.