Quokkas

Rottnest Island is one of two islands with populations of quokkas.  They are macropods - which also means they are marsupials.  They hop like kangaroos, when they want to.  They are nocturnal, and apparently just stop anywhere and go to sleep.  Visitors are told that they will come up close to you, but do not touch them, pat them and certainly don't feed them.

Our first quokka - sleeping outside a coffee shop.  At first, we thought he was crook.  But it was day-time, so his bed-time. 

We are told not to touch or stroke or pet them - so people gather around the quokka, put their lens as close as possible to take photos, without actually touching him/her.  I think they have just gotten used to it!  Selfie-mode works well!

Unlike possums, they don't go looking for a hollow to curl up in.  They just stop anywhere and try to sleep, or scavenge.

Some more quokka pics.  They are so cute.

But not everyone wants them in their place.  I wondered why the cafes all had little gates. The quokkas get smart and wait for the gate to be opened. You may well feel one walking over your feet while you have lunch.  I say it again - they are very cute.