Quokkas in Australia become viral sensations

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Australia is famous for its animals that don't exist in the wild anywhere else on earth and there is one animal many may not have heard of.

Meet the quokka, known as the world's happiest animal since it always looks like it's smiling.

The furry marsupials have no natural predators, so they're fearless and friendly with people, boosting their popularity online.

"Every celebrity that comes to the island tries to take a quokka selfie and everybody sees that and I guess likes to copy that to a certain extent. And while selfies are good, we do actually try to encourage people to try and maintain a little more distance if they possibly can," said Arvid Hogstrom, Conservation Director with the Rottnest Island Authority.

It's forbidden to touch quokkas and they even have the right of way on roads.

In addition, conservation efforts are thriving, thanks in part to their photogenic charm.