The animal kingdom is filled with all kinds of charming creatures. Whether its the chilling chimpanzees, dancing peacocks or roaring lions; there are no limits to the marvellous wonders of the wild. However, have you ever wondered which is the happiest animal on earth? In fact, there is actually a surprisingly cute mate who has universally earned the title of “the happiest animal.” To learn more about this animal and also understand its specialities, all you have to do is, keep reading this article.
The Happiest Animal in the World
Even though no research has been conducted on this topic, animal lovers all over the world agree that the endearing wallaby called quokka is the “happiest animal in the world.” Quokkas are cat-sized and tiny marsupials that are famous for their happy or "smiling" facial expression. They are mainly found in large numbers at the Rottnest Island of southwestern Australia.
Why Quokka is Called the Happiest Animal?
An obvious and one of the foremost reason for gifting this title to Quokka is, of course, its facial feature that looks like a smile. Additionally, their fluffy fur that is filled with brown and grey colours, gives them the features of a stuffed toy. They are similar to their close relative kangaroo, when we consider the way in which they hop and bound and also how they carry their offsprings inside a pouch.
In 2013, a story published in the Huffington Post gifted Quokka universal acclaim as the happiest animal known to humanity. However, it was an Instagram selfie by the Australian actor Chris Hemsworth with a Quokka that catapulted the species into a social media sensation, resulting in people from all over the world visiting Rottnest Island and uploading selfies with the animal.
Are Quokkas Really Happy?
The truth is, the “smile” of Quokkas has more to do with their facial expression than how they are actually feeling. Their mouths are formed in such as a unique manner that they look like smiling almost all the time. But they look even happier and beautiful when they put their tongues out. Are they happy when they are doing this? Incidentally, they are trying to cool off instead of expressing their “joy.”
Nevertheless, Quokkas are very curious creatures and they become pretty excited when tourists pet them. They are used to human beings and won’t feel threatened when we are around. In fact, these gentle animals will hop over you to say hai as well. As natural predators are absent in the island of Rottnest, quokkas usually feel safe engaging with us.
Can We Keep Quokka as a Pet?
Wildlife experts say, we cannot. Quokkas are categorised among the endangered species of the wild. In the last century, they almost reached the verge of extinction due to predators such as foxes and dingoes. Today, there are only about 15,000 Quokkas all over the world. Disciplined and pain-staking conservation efforts brought them back from perishing forever.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What happens if a quokka bites you?
If a quokka bites you, it's usually not severe. The wounds typically heal well with basic first aid.
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Which is the friendliest animal in the world?
The Capybara is widely considered the world's friendliest animal due to its remarkably calm and social nature and its ability to peacefully coexist and form friendships with numerous other species.
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What is the lifespan of a quokka?
The quokka is known to live for an average of 10 years.
