Member Blog: Will romance bloom for Betty Quokka?
They're "bonding" and allegedly there have been "no tiffs at all" - Melbourne Zoo has a potential new couple.
Betty the quokka has joined male quokka Abe in the leafy Australian Bush habitat at Melbourne Zoo.
"We're very much hoping that romance will bloom with the quokkas," says Keeper Tim. "Betty is showing all the signs that she's receptive to Abe, so fingers crossed in the next six months or so we'll see a baby quokka running around."
However, the road to a successful union is sometimes a rocky one.
"Abe saw Betty for the first time and ran away," says Keeper Tim. "Usually with male and female quokkas it goes the other way, but this time we were pleasantly surprised that a bit of girl power took over in that situation."
"It only took him about 15 minutes to get comfortable. They've gotten along really well."
Betty and Abe have been snacking on hay, grass, flowers and a mix of root vegetables. They both also have a particular interest in corn.
Native to Western Australia, this small wallaby is extremely resourceful and equipped to thrive in hot and arid environments. Typically ground-dwelling, they are surprisingly great at climbing trees in search of the tastiest leaves.
Quokkas are a species that Zoos Victoria are determined to see thrive. They're currently listed as vulnerable due to predation from feral animals, especially on the mainland.
If you come visit Abe and Betty at Melbourne Zoo, you might understand why quokkas have earned the moniker of 'world's happiest animal'.
"It's because of the way their facial structure is made up, when they stand up and look at you it looks like they're smiling," says Keeper Tim. "They're very charismatic little animals."
Betty and Abe can be seen in the koala habitat beside the Great Flight Aviary.
