While we were visiting the Koala Park in Sydney, we saw only a few roos (I’m not too familiar with wallabies and kangaroos to spot the difference between the two) with joeys in their pouches. At first there was only a foot or a tail sticking out, so we followed them around, fascinated (or was it them following us knowing we had cereals to feed them with?). It was a treat when finally we saw a head emerge from the pouch of one roo and we wondered how these animals give birth to their young. Is it like other mammals or is there a birth canal inside their pouches? My curiosity led me to this video, and this info from http://wiki.answers/.com: “Kangaroos are mammals and they mate and give birth to their young just like any other mammal- the mother gives birth through the birth canal. However kangaroo young (joeys) are born after only 31 days of gestation, and are only the size of a Lima bean. The joey climbs up the mother and into the mother’s pouch, and remains sheltered there for up to 9 months. They feed on the teats in the pouch, and as they get older, they will exit the pouch and explore, returning for safety and food. When the joey first enters the pouch, it by instinct puts its mouth on a teat which then enlarges to hold it in place and feed it.” Wow!

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