A
joey is an infant
kangaroo or
wallaby. These
marsupials have an extremely short
gestation period, and the joey is 'born' basically in a
fetal[?] state. The blind, furless, miniature newborn crawls across its mother's fur to make its way into the 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, grazing 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.
Joeys stay in the pouch for up to a year in some species, or until the next Joey is born.
Joey is also a common nickname, short for Joseph.
