Quokkas, small marsupials native to Australia, typically raise their young, known as joeys, for several months before the joeys become independent. The exact timing can vary, but here's a general overview of the process:
1. **Birth:** Quokka joeys are born after a short gestation period of about one month. They are extremely undeveloped at birth, resembling tiny pink embryos.
2. **Pouch Life:** After birth, the joey crawls into its mother's pouch and continues to develop outside the womb. In the pouch, the joey latches onto a teat and receives nourishment from its mother's milk.
3. **Pouch Exit:** Joeys typically begin to leave the pouch and explore the outside world when they are around 6 to 7 months old. However, they may stay close to their mother and continue to nurse during this time.
4. **Independence:** The exact timing of when a quokka joey becomes fully independent can vary, but it usually occurs when they are around 9 to 11 months old. At this stage, they no longer rely on their mother for nourishment and can forage and fend for themselves.
Quokkas are known for their friendly and social nature, and they often share their habitat with other quokkas. The process of joeys leaving their mothers and becoming independent is a gradual one, and they continue to interact with their mother and other members of their social group as they grow.