Joey Joey

Joey - Definition and Overview

A wallaby with her joey
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A wallaby with her joey

A joey is an infant kangaroo or wallaby.

These marsupials have an extremely short gestation period, and the joey is 'born' basically in a fetal state. The blind, furless, miniature newborn crawls across its mother's fur to make its way into the pouch, where it latches onto a teat for food. It will not re-emerge for several months, during which time it develops fully. After this period, the joey begins to spend increasing lengths of time out of the pouch, grazing and learning survival skills. However, it returns to the pouch to sleep, and if danger threatens it will seek refuge in its mother's pouch for safety.

Newborn joey sucking on a teat in the pouch
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Newborn joey sucking on a teat in the pouch

Joeys stay in the pouch for up to a year in some species, or until the next Joey is born.


Joey is also a common nickname, short for Joseph.

Joey is also the name of an American television sitcom, launched in 2004.

Joey was also the nickname of the British silver threepence coin, produced until 1945.

Example Usage of Joey

Luv2Teach05: Dang it!! I need to know specifics Joey Joe!! Monday Monday.... 24 hrs in a day... *talkn to self*
Schizophrenelle: My uncle Joey just gave me eternal sunshine for the spotless mind
BaltimoreDude: @rotcav Sup Joey B... Played dj hero yet?
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