Devils mate in March, and the young are born in April or May. The devil gives birth after 21 days gestation. The average number of young is 3. Each young, firmly attached to one of the four teats, is carried in the rear-opening pouch for about 15 weeks. After this time, the young start venturing out of the pouch, and complete their juvenile development in a den, usually a disused wombat burrow. For a few weeks, when the mother searches for food, the young ride on her back – clinging firmly with teeth and claws. Young devils are weaned after about 5 or 6 months, and are thought to have left the mother and be living alone in the bush by late October. They probably start breeding at the end of their second year. Longevity is up to 7-8 years.