How Does A Helpless Marsupial Baby Get To Its Mother’s Pouch?

　　It is amazing that a new-born marsupial, such as a kangaroo, ever manages to make the journey to the pouch. As soon as it emerges, the blind, almost helpless baby has to climb up the fur on its mother's belly. Its mother does little to help, but she does what she can and licks a wet trail along her belly fur for the tiny creature to follow.

　　In spite of its difficulties, the young animal generally reaches the pouch within a few minutes of birth. If it doesn't for some reason, it is in great danger and will quickly perish and there is nothing the mother can do.

　　It crawls inside, attaches itself to a teat and begins to take in its mother's milk. It is too helpless to suck the milk actively from the teat; instead, the mother contracts the muscles around the mammary gland and forces milk out through the teat into the baby's mouth.

Add Comment

Report