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How long do koala young stay in the pouch?

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A koala joey stays in its mother’s pouch for approximately seven months.1

After a short gestation period of about 34 to 36 days, the underdeveloped joey makes its way to the pouch, where it attaches to a teat to continue its development. At about five months of age, the joey first begins to put its head out of the pouch. By the time it reaches seven months, the joey typically leaves the pouch entirely, though it may continue to nurse while also beginning to feed on leaves. Following this, the young koala often clings to its mother’s back for several months as it learns to navigate trees and forage for food.1