<P> Kangaroo reproduction is similar to that of opossums . The egg ( still contained in the evolutionary remnant of a shell , a few micrometres thick , and with only a small quantity of yolk within it ) descends from the ovary into the uterus . There it is fertilised and quickly develops into a neonate . Even in the largest kangaroo ( the red kangaroo ) the neonate emerges after only 33 days . Usually , only one young is born at a time . It is blind , hairless , and only a few centimetres long ; its hindlegs are mere stumps ; it instead uses its more developed forelegs to climb its way through the thick fur on its mother 's abdomen into the pouch , which takes about three to five minutes . Once in the pouch , it fastens onto one of the four teats and starts to feed . Almost immediately , the mother 's sexual cycle starts again . Another egg descends into the uterus and she becomes sexually receptive . Then , if she mates and a second egg is fertilised , its development is temporarily halted . Meanwhile , the neonate in the pouch grows rapidly . After about 190 days , the baby ( joey ) is sufficiently large and developed to make its full emergence out of the pouch , after sticking its head out for a few weeks until it eventually feels safe enough to fully emerge . From then on , it spends increasing time in the outside world and eventually , after about 235 days , it leaves the pouch for the last time . The lifespan of kangaroos averages at six years in the wild to in excess of 20 years in captivity , varying by species . Most individuals , however , do not reach maturity in the wild . </P>
<P> Kangaroo reproduction is similar to that of opossums . The egg ( still contained in the evolutionary remnant of a shell , a few micrometres thick , and with only a small quantity of yolk within it ) descends from the ovary into the uterus . There it is fertilised and quickly develops into a neonate . Even in the largest kangaroo ( the red kangaroo ) the neonate emerges after only 33 days . Usually , only one young is born at a time . It is blind , hairless , and only a few centimetres long ; its hindlegs are mere stumps ; it instead uses its more developed forelegs to climb its way through the thick fur on its mother 's abdomen into the pouch , which takes about three to five minutes . Once in the pouch , it fastens onto one of the four teats and starts to feed . Almost immediately , the mother 's sexual cycle starts again . Another egg descends into the uterus and she becomes sexually receptive . Then , if she mates and a second egg is fertilised , its development is temporarily halted . Meanwhile , the neonate in the pouch grows rapidly . After about 190 days , the baby ( joey ) is sufficiently large and developed to make its full emergence out of the pouch , after sticking its head out for a few weeks until it eventually feels safe enough to fully emerge . From then on , it spends increasing time in the outside world and eventually , after about 235 days , it leaves the pouch for the last time . The lifespan of kangaroos averages at six years in the wild to in excess of 20 years in captivity , varying by species . Most individuals , however , do not reach maturity in the wild . </P>
how long does a red kangaroo live for
how long does a red kangaroo live for
The lifespan of kangaroos averages at six years in the wild to in excess of 20 years in captivity , varying by species .
The lifespan of kangaroos averages at six years in the wild to in excess of 20 years in captivity , varying by species .