It spends much of the time sitting on the mother's back, but returns to the mother's belly in cold, wet weather and to sleep. At 44 weeks, the cub still ventures less than a meter from the mother. By 48 weeks, the cub is more adventurous and no longer squeaked when the mother was removed. At this age, mother and cub are often seen sleeping back to back. The cub remains with the mother until about 12 months of age when it weighs a little over 2 kg.
Size is larger in the southern regions.
At birth young weighs only 0.5 gm. Thickest of the marsupials. Rump consists of tougher connective tissue dappled with white patches. Fluffy ears with longer white hairs. Coat is shorter and lighter in color toward northern regions.