AY Honors/Marsupials/Answer Key

2004-11-11T03:52:10Z

66.160.77.170:

<table border="1" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpadding="2" style = "margin-left: 0.5em;">
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''Quokka'''</th></tr>
<tr><td>[[image:Quokka-257.jpg]]</td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>{{taxonomy}}</th></tr>
<tr><td>
<table align="center">
<tr><td>{{Regnum}}:</td><td>[[Animal]]ia</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Phylum}}:</td><td>[[Chordate|Chordata]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Classis}}:</td><td>[[Mammalia]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Subclassis}}:</td><td>[[Marsupialia]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Ordo}}:</td><td>[[Diprotodontia]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Familia}}:</td><td>[[Macropodidae]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Genus}}:</td><td>''Setonix''</td></tr>
<tr><td>{{Species}}:</td><td>''brachyurus''</td></tr>
</table>
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor="pink">'''[[Binomial nomenclature|Binomial name]]'''</th></tr>
<tr><th align="center">''Setonix brachyurus''</th></tr>
</td></tr></table>
The '''quokka''' (''Setonix brachyurus'') is a small [[macropod]], about the size of a large domestic cat. Like others in the macropod family (such as the [[kangaroo]]s and [[wallabies]]) the quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

In the wild, it is now restricted to a very small range in mainland south-western [[Western Australia]], where it has become rare, and on two [[fox]]-free islands off the coast: Bald Island and [[Rottnest Island]]—which is its stronghold. On Rottnest it is common and occupies a wide range of habitats, ranging from semi-arid scrub to cultivated gardens.

Quokkas are the only member of the genus ''Setonix''. They are 40 to 54 cm long with a 25 to 30 cm tail—which is rather short for a macropod. They have a stocky build, rounded ears, and a short, broad head. Although looking rather like a very small, dumpy kangaroo, they can climb small trees and shrubs. Their coarse fur is a grizzled brown colour, fading to buff underneath.

Quokkas are gregarious and gather in large groups where food is available: primary items are grasses, sedges, succulents and foliage. They breed at any time on the mainland, but in late summer on Rottnest. Restricted availability of the trace element [[copper]] appears to be a major limiting factor of the ability of quokkas to breed on Rottnest.

Although numerous on the small offshore islands, they have a very restricted range and are classified as vulnerable. On the mainland, where they must contend with introduced foxes, they require dense ground cover for refuge.

<div style="float:left; margin-left:15px; margin-right:10px; width:517px; text-align:center">
[[image:Quokka-517.jpg]]<br>
<small>Quokka</small></div>

[[Category:Macropods]]
[[de:Quokka]]
[[eo:Kvokao]]
[[ja:クアッカワラビー属]]

Pathfinder Wiki - User contributions [en]

AY Honors/Marsupials/Answer Key