Joeys - Baby Marsupials

Marsupials are special mammals whose young are carried and suckled inside their mother's pouch. Those of us who are from North America have probably come across an opossum meandering down the street late at night. If you are really lucky, one might have even hissed at you, asking you to give it some space.  But despite living half a world away, we are most familiar with kangaroos and koalas - two of the most adorable and irresistible marsupials. Some other lesser known marsupials include wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils.

Examples of Joeys

Tasmanian Devil - the baby is also called a joey.

Opossum joeys at a rescue center

Wombat joey at a rescue center

Mother kangaroo with her joey

Mama koala with her baby joey

Marsupial Fun Facts

• Marsupials got their name from the "marsupium" or pouch, in which these animals carry and nurse their babies. 
• Marsupials have VERY short gestation periods. They are born super tiny and finish their development safely tucked inside their mother's pouch.
• There are marsupials in Australia, New Guinea, South, Central and North America.
• Male kangaroos are called Boomers and females are called Flyers. Who knew?

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