Chances are that you’ve never heard of the name quokka before. However, you have most likely seen photos of this happy little animal somewhere on the internet. They have the sweetest little smile on their face and they just appear to radiate good energy. No wonder they’re often referred to as the happiest wild animals on the planet.

They look slightly similar to the kangaroo and that’s because they come from the same family; the Macropodidae. They live on a few Australian islands such as Bald Island and Rottnest Island. These adorable little animals are herbivorous, mainly nocturnal and they can live for up to 10 years. The quokkas have a vulnerable conservation status, but unlike most other wildlife they are not afraid of human beings.

Because they don’t scare away from humans easily, they can be captured on camera quite well. A few years ago, there was even a trend for a while to take selfies with the animals. However, anyone caught by the authorities feeding or handling them can receive a fine of up to 300 Australian dollars. Perhaps it’s best to just let them live their happy little lives on these Australian islands. They might seem very huggable, nevertheless, these cuties are not suited to be your pet.