Population dynamics of the Quokka, Setonix brachyurus, on the west end of Rottnest I., Western Australia I. Habitat and distribution of the quokka

Abstract

Data collected over a period of 10 yr is presented on the distribution of a small wallaby, the quokka, on the isolated West End portion of Rottnest I., Western Australia. The density of quokkas in each locality varied with the density of grasses that composed the major portion of their diet. Generally, the animals are non-gregarious and each quokka has a home range of about 10 ac. The home ranges of groups of 25-150 individuals overlap to form group territories. The boundaries of the group territories are stable and in places coincide with topographical features. Young quokkas usually remain in their natal group territory and rarely do permanent changes in group affiliation by animals of any age occur even after the population of adjacent territories has been greatly reduced.