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How long do Virginia opossum young depend on their mother’s pouch?

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Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) — marsupial Red kangaroo (*Macropus rufus*). The home range of this species spans much of Australia's interior, and it is the largest member of the family Macropodidae.

Virginia opossum young remain firmly attached to the mother’s nipple inside the pouch for the first 50 to 55 days of life.1

After this initial period, the young continue to depend on the mother but are no longer strictly confined to the pouch. They may travel inside it or cling to the fur on their mother’s back until they are fully weaned and independent, which occurs at approximately 100 days of age.2