Are quokkas really violent?

There is an unsubstantiated rumour that quokkas throw their young at predators to get out of a dangerous situation unharmed. This is what University of Newcastle specialist Matthew Hayward says.

Quokkas are not violent animals

The rumor began to spread in 2019. From a publication on social media, some platforms began to spread the idea that quokkas threw their young directly at predators, to get out of a dangerous situation unharmed. However, the situation is not exactly like that.

Matthew Hayward has always been passionate about wildlife. After years of specializing in various countries in Asia and Europe, he shared with us in an exclusive interview for National Geographic en Español, he now works at the University of Newcastle as a professor of Conservation Sciences.

Hayward accredited a postdoctoral stay in Australia, to work specifically with quokkas. After decades of direct experience with the species, this is what he shared with us about his behavior in relation to his young.

First of all, Hayward makes it clear that quokkas are not violent. "They are typical herbivores," explains the specialist in an email, "that flee from predators instead of defending themselves." Although he admits that he has 'scars' after trying some specimens, they are not really characterized as aggressive animals.

However, according to the expert, the idea that quokkas throw their young to predators stems from the behavior of another Australian species:

"Peter Banks of Sydney Uni found that gray kangaroos do this to avoid fox predation," he explains in the same email. "She has a lot: if a mother has a calf, she knows that she can reproduce successfully, but she doesn't know if the baby makes sense."

Which is why he, he adds, relaxes the muscles of his marsupial pouch, until the hatchling falls to the ground and growls at the predator in question. The mother knows that she can reproduce again, so this action "does not have a great impact on her fertility."

Based on the experience of his colleagues, Hayward says that it is difficult for quokkas to perform these actions with their young after learning them. Even among members of the same species, it is difficult for them to share specific knowledge. For this reason, "this seems to be an innate part of the behavior of quokkas and macropods in general", clarifies the expert.

What can be done to preserve the species?

Due to the introduction of species not native to Australia, such as foxes or domestic cats, the population of quokkas in the country has decreased. As they are small marsupials, they are easy prey for born predators like them. This is how Hayward explains it:

"We can protect quokkas by controlling (or ideally eradicating) introduced predators in Australia (especially foxes), and by improving fire management."

As well as the predators that were introduced artificially, the irresponsible urban advance compromises the persistence of the species in the country. In addition to letting them reproduce when they appear, the most important thing is to "stop clearing the land for human activities," Hayward concludes.

Article and image from National Geographic Spain

Related news

• Launch of the School Students’ Statement on the Right to a Healthy Environment
• Funding boost to technology for lower emission steel
• Newcastle team on mission to improve childhood cancer outcomes
• Shanae’s passion for caring delivers her dream to work in health
• Food and nutrition degree serves Keren a rewarding career