What is a baby kangaroo called?

A tiny, underdeveloped creature emerges from its mother's womb, no bigger than a jelly bean. This remarkable journey marks the beginning of life for the young of a kangaroo, which is commonly referred to as a joey. This endearing term isn't exclusive to kangaroos; it's a widely accepted name for the young of many marsupials, including wallabies, koalas, and opossums, reflecting their shared reproductive strategy.

Upon birth, the blind and hairless joey, guided by instinct, embarks on an incredible and arduous climb through its mother's fur to reach the safety and warmth of her pouch. Once inside, it latches onto one of the mother's teats, which swells in its mouth, securing it in place. The joey will spend many months within this protective sanctuary, feeding and developing, completely dependent on its mother for nourishment and shelter (Review) as it grows significantly.

As the joey matures, it will begin to peek out of the pouch, observing the world around it. Eventually, it will start to temporarily leave the pouch, exploring its surroundings before quickly returning for milk or to escape danger. The mother kangaroo can even produce different types of milk simultaneously to cater to the needs of a newborn joey in the pouch and an older joey that has emerged but still nurses. This extended period of maternal care ensures the joey is well-equipped to survive independently once it permanently leaves the pouch, typically around 10 to 12 months of age, though it may continue to nurse for longer.