1. They are known as "the happiest animals in the world." Quokkas have earned this adorable nickname because the natural structure of their mouth and chubby cheeks makes it look like they are constantly wearing a huge, cheerful smile!

2. They are mini-marsupials related to kangaroos. Quokkas are macropods, which means they belong to the same animal family as kangaroos and wallabies! Like kangaroos, female quokkas carry their tiny babies (called joeys) inside a warm belly pouch.

3. Quokkas hop on two feet to move around. Instead of walking on four legs, quokkas use their powerful hind legs to hop through the grass and bushes, jumping up to 1.5 feet high!

4. They can survive without drinking water for months. Quokkas get most of the water they need directly from the juicy plants, leaves, and succulents they eat! This allows them to thrive on dry islands where fresh drinking water is super scarce.

5. They swallow their food whole and chew it twice! Just like cows, quokkas swallow green leaves whole without chewing much at first. Later on, they regurgitate the partially digested food (called cud) and chew it thoroughly before swallowing it again!

6. They can climb trees for a snack. Even though they are built for hopping on the ground, quokkas are surprisingly nimble climbers! They can scramble up small trees and shrubs to reach fresh green leaves and fruits up to 6 feet off the ground.

7. They store fat in their tails for emergencies. A quokka's tail isn't just used for balance while hopping—it also acts as a natural storage tank! When food is abundant, they store extra body fat in their tails to survive lean seasons.