If you’ve ever heard of the cute and cuddly quokka, you might be surprised to learn that these adorable marsupials sometimes throw their babies. Yes, you read that right – throw their babies. But why do they do it? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this seemingly strange behavior.
Contents
What Are Quokkas?
Before we dive into the topic at hand, let’s take a quick look at what quokkas are. These small marsupials are native to Western Australia, and are known for their friendly and curious behavior. They’re often referred to as the “world’s happiest animal” due to their seemingly constant smile.
Why Do Quokkas Throw Their Babies?
Now, onto the main question. Quokkas have been observed throwing their babies out of their pouches when they feel threatened or stressed. This behavior is known as “joey ejecting”. While it may seem cruel, it’s actually a survival mechanism for the quokka.
When a quokka feels threatened, it may need to flee quickly in order to avoid danger. By ejecting its baby, the mother is able to run faster and more efficiently. The baby is also more likely to survive on its own than if it were left behind.
Additionally, by ejecting its baby, the mother is able to distract the predator and draw attention away from herself. This gives her a better chance of escaping and surviving.
Is It Common?
While joey ejecting may seem like a rare occurrence, it’s actually quite common among quokkas. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 10% of quokka mothers will eject their babies at some point.
What Happens to the Babies?
You might be wondering what happens to the baby quokkas after they’re ejected. While it may seem like a cruel fate, the babies are actually quite resilient. They have a strong survival instinct and are able to fend for themselves from a young age.
After being ejected, the baby quokka will typically crawl off and find a safe hiding spot. It will then wait for its mother to return and retrieve it. If the mother doesn’t return, the baby will continue to fend for itself until it’s old enough to survive on its own.
What Can We Learn from Quokkas?
While the idea of throwing a baby may seem shocking to us humans, it’s important to remember that animals have evolved to survive in their environments. Quokkas have developed the behavior of joey ejecting as a way to increase their chances of survival in the wild.
As humans, we can learn from this behavior and adapt to our own environments. Whether it’s learning to adapt to new technologies or changing our behavior to better protect the environment, we can take cues from the animal kingdom and use those lessons to better our own lives.
Conclusion
While it may seem strange and even cruel, the behavior of quokkas throwing their babies is actually a survival mechanism that has developed over time. By ejecting their babies, quokkas are able to increase their chances of survival in the wild. We can learn from this behavior and use it to better understand the natural world around us.