Here's a breakdown:
* Birth: The joey is born tiny and underdeveloped, about the size of a jellybean.
* Pouch life: The joey immediately crawls into the pouch and attaches to a teat for nourishment and development. It stays in the pouch for months, growing bigger and stronger.
* Emerging from the pouch: The joey starts venturing out of the pouch for short periods of time around 6 months of age, but it will continue to return to the pouch for safety and comfort.
* Fully independent: By 9-12 months, the joey is typically fully independent and no longer needs the pouch.
It's important to note that even after the joey leaves the pouch, it may still return for a short period, especially if it feels threatened.