These adorable animals can attack if they feel threatened. They have razor-sharp claws and a nice set of teeth. With that said, quokkas are adaptable and don’t mind human presence. Although it’s not a good idea to try to befriend one or smuggle it home, they are survivors and will do anything to keep their species alive.
This means that all of the silliness online about quokkas, selfies, and cuddling can be chalked up to luck. It’s hard to tell if this happy animal is mad or about to attack, so any of the encounters you read about are individually based and should not be taken as advice to touch, cuddle, or take a selfie with a quokka.
Quokka’s big feet are tipped with sharp claws. A journalist named Kenneth Cook had to learn the hard way when he tried to befriend a quokka along a dirt road. If the quokka feels threatened by a human, it could attack. They will bite, and they have claws.
They have adapted to human presence in their environment in admirable fashion. Quokka settlements have sprung up around youth hostels and tourist sites. They do, however, wander down the streets and into cafes and restaurants. The quokka is a survivor, ready to do anything it takes to stick around.