Inside the Pouch (first few months):
* Milk: Joeys primarily feed on their mother's milk, which changes in composition as the joey grows, providing different nutrients for different stages.
Leaving the Pouch (around 6-8 months):
* "Pap": The mother starts producing a thick, soupy substance called "pap" in her pouch. This is a mixture of partially digested food from her own stomach, helping the joey transition to solid food.
* Grass and other vegetation: Joeys start nibbling on grass and other vegetation alongside their mother. They learn what to eat by observing her and mimicking her behavior.
Mature Stage (around 18 months):
* Grass and other vegetation: By this time, joeys are fully weaned and eat the same diet as adult kangaroos, which includes grasses, herbs, leaves, and sometimes bark.
Interesting fact: A joey can remain in the pouch for up to 18 months, even while nibbling on vegetation outside. This is because they continue to rely on the mother's milk for important nutrients and immune system support.