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An infant marsupial is known as a '''joey'''. Marsupials have a very short [[gestation]] period (about four to five weeks), and the joey is born in an essentially [[Fetus|fetal]] state. The blind, furless, miniature newborn, the size of a [[jelly bean]],{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}<!--Is this size accurate for all species?--> crawls across its mother's fur to make its way into the [[pouch (marsupial)|pouch]], where it latches onto a [[teat]] for food. It will not re-emerge for several months, during which time it develops fully. After this period, the joey begins to spend increasing lengths of time out of the pouch, feeding and learning survival skills. However, it returns to the pouch to sleep, and if danger threatens, it will seek refuge in its mother's pouch for safety. |
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An infant marsupial is known as a '''joey'''. Marsupials have a very short [[gestation]] period (about four to five weeks), and the joey is born in an essentially [[Fetus|fetal]] state. The blind, furless, miniature newborn, the size of a [[jelly bean]],{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}<!--Is this size accurate for all species?--> crawls across its mother's fur to make its way into the [[pouch (marsupial)|pouch]], where it latches onto a [[teat]] for food. It will not re-emerge for several months, during which time it develops fully. After this period, the joey begins to spend increasing lengths of time out of the pouch, feeding and learning survival skills. However, it returns to the pouch to sleep, and if danger threatens, it will seek refuge in its mother's pouch for safety. |
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Joeys stay in the pouch for up to a year in some species, or until the next joey is born. A marsupial joey is unable to regulate its own body temperature and relies upon an external heat source. Until the joey is well-furred and old enough to leave the pouch, a pouch temperature of {{convert|30|-|32|C|F}} must be constantly maintained. |
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Joeys stay in the pouch for up to a year in some species, or until the next joey is born. A marsupial joey is unable to regulate its own body temperature and relies upon an external heat source. Until the joey is well-furred and old enough to leave the pouch, a pouch temperature of {{convert|30|-|32|C|F}} must be constantly maintained. When the Joey is full grown the mother's pouch will fall off. |