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How small is a newborn kangaroo joey?
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kangaroo
A group of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) using their powerful hind legs and feet to hop.
A newborn kangaroo joey is born at a very immature stage of development. At birth, it measures only about 2 cm (1 inch) in length and weighs less than one gram (0.04 ounce).1
Immediately after birth, the tiny, underdeveloped joey uses its already clawed and well-developed forelimbs to crawl up the mother’s body and into her marsupium, or pouch. Once inside, it attaches to a teat to continue its growth and development.12