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A number of marsupials have backward-facing pouches. The wombat, bilby, bandicoot, marsupial mole and Tasmanian devil all have backward-facing pouches because they often dig; if the pouch faces backwards, soil does not get in the pouch. Small marsupials such as the planigale also have a backward- facing pouch.

The koala also has a backward-facing pouch because of the way it feeds its young on pap after 7 months. Pap is a specialised form of the mother's droppings which, having passed through her digestive system, give the joey the enzymes it needs to be able to start digesting the tough gum leaves, making an easier transition for the baby koala to start eating eucalyptus leaves. By its mother having a backward-facing pouch, the young joey can easily feed by sticking its head out and eating the pap from below.

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11y ago

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