The quokka scuttles through the tall grass, its small size making it almost invisible as it forages for food. As an herbivore, the quokka eats grass, leaves, stems, and the bark of many plants. It feels at home in the grasslands of Australia, the only light coming from the moon, which was shining from high overhead. The quokka knows that on Rottnest Island- a generally peaceful island free of foxes and cats- it has a few more hours of foraging before setting down for the day. Little does it know, a different predator is stalking the forest… a 2110-pound Short Faced Bear.
The Short Faced Bear was a suspected carnivore, needing 35.3 pounds of flesh per day. Luckily, the quokka only weighs 11 pounds- which is hardly a meal for a Short Faced Bear. However, food is scarce on Rottnest Island. It is a small island, only 7.3 square miles, and there isn’t a lot of larger prey to be had. The quokka has the advantage here in its homeland... there is plenty of vegetation for it to eat. Even when food is not readily accessible, it can survive for long periods of time without food or water by living off the fat stored in its tail.
Unfortunately, the Short Faced Bear sniffs out the quokka with its acute sense of smell. The quokka starts to run, but the enormous bear is very speedy - it can move it's gigantic body up to 40 mph. However, the quokka has another secret skill - it can climb trees. For a second, it seems like it was going to get away, but instead the bear stands up on its hind paws, reaches 15 feet up in the tree, and easily plucks out the quokka, devouring it in one gulp.
SHORT FACED BEAR WINS! At least for now... it is still trapped on a very small island with very small prey.