Koalas Mating Habits

by Wildlife Adm February 20, 2024

Koalas have a polygynous mating system with the dominant male, mating with most females. Koalas mate from December to March. The gestation period in koalas lasts for only 35 days, yielding a single baby. During the first 5-6 months of its life, the joey lives in the pouch of its mother, feeding exclusively on milk. By the age of 6 months, the young is weaned.

The young then starts feeding upon pap - partially digested vegetation, found in the excrement of its mother. At 7 months old, the baby comes out of the pouch of its mother, beginning to cling to her back. Then, at about 1 year old, the young koala becomes independent, after which the youngster typically stays with its mother for another few months before it leaves.