If more young are born than she can support, some do not survive. The young that do make it to the pouch are extremely altricial and remain attached to a nipple for 50 to 65 days. Weaning of the young occurs at 90 to 105 days. Females reach maturity at 5.5 to 7 months but probably do not breed in their first year. Males usually reach sexual maturity at about 8 months.
Females usually have two years of reproductive activity.
Although they live three to five years in captivity, their life expectancy in the wild is 1.3 years or less. Populations are usually composed of young of the year. Natural predators include owls and dogs. Motor traffic and severe winter conditions are also important sources of mortality.