Didelphimorphia is an order of marsupial mammals. Members of this order are called didelphimorphs, or opossums. They are primarily found in South America, though some are found in Central America and Mexico and one, the Virginia opossum, ranges into the United States and Canada. They have a variety of sizes, shapes, and fur patterns, and range in size from the 6 cm (2 in) (plus 9 cm (4 in) tail) Kalinowski's mouse opossum to the 55 cm (22 in) (plus 54 cm (21 in) tail) Virginia opossum. Didelphimorphs are primarily found in forests, as well as savannas, shrublands, and grasslands. Almost no population estimates have been made for didelphimorph species, though the one-striped opossum is classified as Critically Endangered with a population of less than ten, Handley's slender opossum is also critically endangered, and the red-bellied gracile opossum is extinct, having last been seen in 1962.
The 93 extant species of Didelphimorphia are grouped into a single family, Didelphidae, which is divided into four subfamilies: Caluromyinae, containing four species in two genera; Glironiinae, containing a single species; Hyladelphinae, also with a single species; and Didelphinae, containing 87 species split between 14 genera. Over one hundred extinct Didelphimorph species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed. [1]
Conservation status | |
---|---|
EX | Extinct (1 species) |
EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
CR | Critically Endangered (2 species) |
EN | Endangered (0 species) |
VU | Vulnerable (6 species) |
NT | Near threatened (3 species) |
LC | Least concern (67 species) |
Other categories | |
DD | Data deficient (14 species) |
NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the didelphimorph's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".
The order Didelphimorphia consists of one family, Didelphidae, which is divided into the subfamilies Caluromyinae, Glironiinae, Hyladelphinae, and Didelphinae. Caluromyinae contains 4 species in 2 genera, Glironiinae and Hyladelphinae each contain a single species, and Didelphinae contains 87 species in 14 genera, as well as the extinct red-bellied gracile opossum, which was last seen in 1962. Many of these species are further subdivided into subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. [2] [3]
Family Didelphidae
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [4] [5]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bare-tailed woolly opossum | C. philander (Linnaeus, 1758) Four subspecies
| Eastern and northeastern South America | Size: 16–28 cm (6–11 in) long, plus 25–41 cm (10–16 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [7] Diet: Fruit, as well as gum, nectar, small vertebrates, and invertebrates [7] | LC
|
Brown-eared woolly opossum | C. lanatus (Olfers, 1818) Four subspecies
| Central and northwestern South America | Size: 20–32 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 33–44 cm (13–17 in) tail [8] Habitat: Forest [9] Diet: Fruit, invertebrates, and some small vertebrates, as well as nectar and flowers [9] | LC
|
Derby's woolly opossum | C. derbianus (Waterhouse, 1841) Six subspecies
| Central American and northwestern South America | Size: 22–30 cm (9–12 in) long, plus 38–45 cm (15–18 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [11] Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, soft vegetables, insects, and other small invertebrates [11] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black-shouldered opossum | C. irrupta Sanborn, 1951 | West-central South America | Size: 25–33 cm (10–13 in) long, plus 31–34 cm (12–13 in) tail [12] Habitat: Forest [13] Diet: Flowers and fruit, as well as small rodents [13] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chacoan pygmy opossum | C. formosa (Shamel, 1930) | Northeastern Argentina | Size: About 7 cm (3 in) long, plus 6 cm (2 in) tail [14] Habitat: Shrubland [15] Diet: Unknown [14] | NT
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Water opossum | C. minimus (Zimmermann, 1780) Four subspecies
| Central America, northern South America, southeastern South America | Size: 27–40 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 30–43 cm (12–17 in) tail [16] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [17] Diet: Fish, crabs, other crustaceans, and insects, as well as frogs [17] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agricola's gracile opossum | C. agricolai (Moojen, 1943) | Eastern Brazil | Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–11 cm (4 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [19] Diet: Unknown | DD
|
Chacoan gracile opossum | C. chacoensis (Tate, 1931) | Southern South America | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and grassland [20] Diet: Unknown fruit and insects [21] | LC
|
Guahiba gracile opossum | C. guahybae (Tate, 1931) | Southern Brazil | Size: About 9 cm (4 in) long, plus 11 cm (4 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and grassland [22] Diet: Unknown | DD
|
Red-bellied gracile opossum† | C. ignitus Díaz, Flores, Barquez, 2002 | Northwestern Argentina | Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12 cm (5 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [23] Diet: Unknown | EX
|
Unduavi gracile opossum | C. unduaviensis (Shamel, 1930) | Northern Bolivia | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands [24] Diet: Unknown | DD
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andean white-eared opossum | D. pernigra J. A. Allen, 1900 | Northwestern South America | Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail [25] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [26] Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants [25] | LC
|
Big-eared opossum | D. aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826) | Eastern South America | Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail [25] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [27] Diet: Arthropods and fruit, as well as other invertebrates and small vertebrates [28] | LC
|
Common opossum | D. marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 Two subspecies
| Central American and northern South America | Size: 26–43 cm (10–17 in) long, plus 40 cm (16 in) tail [29] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [30] Diet: Omnivorous; eats invertebrates, vertebrates, leaves, fruit, nectar, and carrion [29] | LC
|
Guianan white-eared opossum | D. imperfecta Mondolfi, Hernández, 1984 | Northern South America | Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail [25] Habitat: Forest [31] Diet: Omnivorous; primarily fruit and insects [31] | LC
|
Virginia opossum | D. virginiana Kerr, 1792 Four subspecies
| North America and Central America | Size: 33–55 cm (13–22 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail [32] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [33] Diet: Omnivorous, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plant material, fruits, grains and carrion [32] | LC
|
White-eared opossum | D. albiventris Lund, 1840 | Eastern and southern South America | Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail [25] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland [34] Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants [25] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aceramarca gracile opossum | G. aceramarcae (Tate, 1931) | Western Aouth America | Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail [35] Habitat: Forest [36] Diet: Fruit, insects and other small invertebrates [36] | LC
|
Agile gracile opossum | G. agilis (Burmeister, 1854) | Central South America | Size: 8–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 10–16 cm (4–6 in) tail [37] Habitat: Forest [38] Diet: Insects and fruit [39] | LC
|
Brazilian gracile opossum | G. microtarsus (Wagner, 1842) Two subspecies
| Southeastern South America | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail [40] Habitat: Forest [41] Diet: Insects, other invertebrates, and fruit [40] | LC
|
Emilia's gracile opossum | G. emiliae (Thomas, 1909) | Scattered northern South America | Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail [42] Habitat: Forest [43] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit [42] | DD
|
Northern gracile opossum | G. marica (Thomas, 1898) | Northern South America | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail [44] Habitat: Forest and grassland [45] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit [44] | LC
|
Wood sprite gracile opossum | G. dryas (Thomas, 1898) | Northern South America | Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail [46] Habitat: Forest [47] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit [46] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Patagonian opossum | L. halli (Thomas, 1921) | Southern South America | Size: 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 8–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [48] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert [49] Diet: Invertebrates, as well as birds, reptiles, and fruit [48] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Big lutrine opossum | L. crassicaudata (Desmarest, 1804) Two subspecies
| Scattered South America (Massoia's lutrine opossum in red) | Size: 26–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 24–30 cm (9–12 in) tail [50] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands [51] Diet: Omnivorous; crabs, beetles, amphibians, birds, seeds, and vegetation, as well as other invertebrates, fish, and small mammals [50] | LC
|
Massoia's lutrine opossum | L. massoia Martínez-Lanfranco, Flores, Jayat, D'Elía, 2014 | South-central South America (big lutrine opossum in green) | Size: 18–24 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 20–26 cm (8–10 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest and grassland [53] Diet: Small mammals, fish, and invertebrates, as well as bird eggs and fruit [52] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alston's mouse opossum | M. alstoni (Allen, 1900) | Central America, northwestern tip of South America | Size: 18–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 24–28 cm (9–11 in) tail [54] Habitat: Forest [55] Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, and fruit [55] | LC
|
Bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum | M. regina Thomas, 1924 | Western South America | Size: 15–21 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 21–30 cm (8–12 in) tail [56] Habitat: Forest [56] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs [57] | NE
|
Guajira mouse opossum | M. xerophila Handley, Gordon, 1979 | Northern South America | Size: 8–16 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tail [58] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [59] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as lizards, bird eggs, and small rodents [59] | VU
|
Heavy-browed mouse opossum | M. andersoni Pine, 1972 | Peru | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [60] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit [61] | DD
|
Linnaeus's mouse opossum | M. murina (Linnaeus, 1758) | Northern and eastern South America | Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 13–21 cm (5–8 in) tail [62] Habitat: Forest [63] Diet: Insects, small animals, and fruit [63] | LC
|
Little woolly mouse opossum | M. phaea Thomas, 1899 | Northwestern South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [64] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs [57] | VU
|
Mexican mouse opossum | M. mexicana Merriam, 1897 Three subspecies
| Mexico and Central America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 13–23 cm (5–9 in) tail [58] Habitat: Forest and grassland [65] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as small rodents, lizards, birds, and eggs [65] | LC
|
Quechuan mouse opossum | M. quichua Wagner, 1842 | Western South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [66] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs [57] | LC
|
Red mouse opossum | M. rubra Tate, 1931 | Western South America | Size: 12–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 18–22 cm (7–9 in) tail [58] Habitat: Forest [67] Diet: Insects and fruit [68] | DD
|
Robinson's mouse opossum | M. robinsoni Bangs, 1898 Six subspecies
| Northern South America and Central America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [58] Habitat: Forest and savanna [69] Diet: Fruit and insects [69] | LC
|
Rufous mouse opossum | M. lepida (Thomas, 1888) | Northwestern South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [70] Diet: Insects and fruit [70] | LC
|
Tate's woolly mouse opossum | M. paraguayana Tate, 1931 Two subspecies
| Southeastern South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [71] Diet: Omnivorous and insectivorous [71] | LC
|
Tyler's mouse opossum | M. tyleriana Tate, 1931 | Northern South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [72] Diet: Insects as well as fruit [73] | DD
|
White-bellied woolly mouse opossum | M. constantiae Thomas, 1904 | Central South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [74] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs [57] | LC
|
Woolly mouse opossum | M. demerarae Thomas, 1905 Four subspecies
| Northeastern South America | Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail [57] Habitat: Forest [75] Diet: Insects, small animals, fruit, and nectar [75] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andean Slender Mouse Opossum | M. caucae (Thomas, 1900) | Northwestern South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [77] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Bishop's slender opossum | M. bishopi (Pine, 1981) | Central South America | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [79] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Brazilian slender opossum | M. paulensis (Tate, 1931) | Southeastern Brazil | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [80] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Creighton's slender opossum | M. creightoni Voss, Tarifa, Yensen, 2004 | Zongo River valley in Bolivia | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [81] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | DD
|
Delicate slender opossum | M. parvidens (Tate, 1931) | Northern South America | Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14–16 cm (6–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [82] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Dusky slender opossum | M. fuscatus (Thomas, 1896) Two subspecies
| Northern South America | Size: 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 14–15 cm (6–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [83] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | DD
|
Gray slender opossum | M. incanus (Lund, 1841) | Eastern South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [84] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Handley's slender opossum | M. handleyi (Pine, 1981) | Central Columbia | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [85] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | CR
|
Junin slender opossum | M. juninensis (Tate, 1931) | Central Peru | Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [86] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | VU
|
Narrow-headed slender opossum | M. cracens Handley, Gordon, 1979 | Northern South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [87] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | DD
|
Neblina slender opossum | M. neblina Gardner, 1990 | Northwestern South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [88] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Panama slender opossum | M. invictus (Goldman, 1921) | Panama | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [89] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Pantepui slender opossum | M. pakaraimae Voss, Lim, Díaz-Nieto, Jansa, 2013 | Northern South America | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 15–17 cm (6–7 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [90] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | VU
|
Pinheiro's slender opossum | M. pinheiroi (Pine, 1981) | Northern South America | Size: 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail [78] Habitat: Forest [91] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Spectacled slender opossum | M. ocellatus (Tate, 1931) | Bolivia | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [92] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Tschudi's slender opossum | M. impavidus Tschudi, 1844 | Northwestern South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [93] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
White-bellied slender opossum | M. noctivagus (Tschudi, 1844) | Western South America | Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail [76] Habitat: Forest [94] Diet: Insects and fruit [76] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brown four-eyed opossum | M. nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803) Four subspecies
| South America and Central America | Size: 19–31 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 19–39 cm (7–15 in) tail [95] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [96] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as fruit, seeds, and small mammals [95] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amazonian red-sided opossum | M. glirina (Wagner, 1842) | Central South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [98] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Emilia's short-tailed opossum | M. emiliae (Thomas, 1912) | Central South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [99] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Gray short-tailed opossum | M. domestica (Wagner, 1842) | Central and eastern South America | Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus tail [100] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [101] Diet: Insects, fruits, and small animals [100] | LC
|
Handley's short-tailed opossum | M. handleyi Solari, 2007 | Central South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [102] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | DD
|
Hooded red-sided opossum | M. palliolata (Osgood, 1914) | Northern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [103] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Ihering's three-striped opossum | M. iheringi (Thomas, 1888) | Eastern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest and unknown [104] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | DD
|
Long-nosed short-tailed opossum | M. scalops (Thomas, 1888) | Eastern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [105] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Northern red-sided opossum | M. brevicaudata (Erxleben, 1777) | Northern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [106] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Northern three-striped opossum | M. americana (Müller, 1776) | Eastern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [107] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
One-striped opossum | M. unistriata (Wagner, 1842) | Southeastern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [108] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | CR
|
Osgood's short-tailed opossum | M. osgoodi Doutt, 1938 | Western South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [109] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Peruvian short-tailed opossum | M. peruviana (Osgood, 1913) | Peru | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [110] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Pygmy short-tailed opossum | M. kunsi Pine, 1975 | Central South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest and savanna [111] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Reig's opossum | M. reigi Lew, Pérez-Hernández, 2004 | Northern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [112] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | VU
|
Ronald's opossum | M. ronaldi Solari, 2004 | Western South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest [113] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Sepia short-tailed opossum | M. adusta (Thomas, 1897) | Northwestern South America | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail [114] Habitat: Forest [115] Diet: Invertebrates, fruits and small vertebrates [114] | LC
|
Yellow-sided opossum | M. dimidiata (Wagner, 1847) | Southern South America | Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail [97] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands [116] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit [97] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anderson's four-eyed opossum | P. andersoni (Osgood, 1913) | Northwestern South America | Size: 25–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 25–35 cm (10–14 in) tail [117] Habitat: Forest [118] Diet: Insects, other small invertebrates, eggs, and fruit [117] | LC
|
Deltaic four-eyed opossum | P. deltae Lew, Pérez-Hernández, Ventura, 2006 | Northern South America | Size: 20–38 cm (8–15 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail [119] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [120] Diet: Small mammals, other small vertebrates, eggs, insects, other invertebrates, fruit, and carrion [119] | LC
|
Gray four-eyed opossum | P. opossum (Linnaeus, 1758) Two subspecies
| Northern and central South America and Central America | Size: 20–34 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail [121] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [122] Diet: Omnivorous, including invertebrates, small animals, leaves, bark, seeds, nuts, nectar, and fruit [121] | LC
|
McIlhenny's four-eyed opossum | P. mcilhennyi Gardner, Patton, 1972 | Central South America | Size: 28–31 cm (11–12 in) long, plus 26–38 cm (10–15 in) tail [123] Habitat: Forest [124] Diet: Believed to be omnivorous [123] | LC
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Southeastern four-eyed opossum | P. frenatus Olfers, 1818 | Size: 21–29 cm (8–11 in) long, plus 17–32 cm (7–13 in) tail [125] Habitat: Forest [126] Diet: Omnivorous, including flowers, fruit, invertebrates, and small vertebrates [126] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Argentine fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. sponsorius (Thomas, 1921) | Central South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Shrubland [128] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | LC
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Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. venustus (Thomas, 1902) | Central South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland [129] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | DD
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Common fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. pusillus (Desmarest, 1804) | Central South America | Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 8–14 cm (3–6 in) tail [130] Habitat: Forest and savanna [131] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | LC
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Dwarf fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. velutinus (Wagner, 1842) | Eastern South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [132] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | NT
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Elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. elegans (Waterhouse, 1839) | Southwestern South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [133] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | LC
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Karimi's fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. karimii (Petter, 1968) | Central South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Forest and savanna [134] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | VU
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Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. macrurus (Olfers, 1818) | Central South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland [135] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | NT
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Tate's fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. tatei (Handley, 1957) | Western South America | Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail [127] Habitat: Shrubland and desert [136] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates [127] | DD
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White-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum | T. pallidior (Thomas, 1902) | Southwestern South America | Size: 7–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [137] Habitat: Shrubland and desert [138] Diet: Arthropods, as well as leaves, fruit, and seeds [137] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Grayish mouse opossum | T. canescens (Allen, 1893) | Southern Mexico | Size: 8–15 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 9–17 cm (4–7 in) tail [139] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [140] Diet: Insects and fruit [139] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Bushy-tailed opossum | G. venusta Thomas, 1912 | West-central South America | Size: 13–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 19–23 cm (7–9 in) tail [141] Habitat: Forest [142] Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit, and eggs [142] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Kalinowski's mouse opossum | H. kalinowskii (Hershkovitz, 1992) | North-central South America | Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [143] Habitat: Forest [144] Diet: Unknown | LC
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Opossums are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia endemic to the Americas. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 126 species in 18 genera. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of North and South America.
The bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum or short-furred woolly mouse opossum is a South American marsupial of the family Didelphidae. Its range includes Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It is found in tropical rainforest in the westernmost portion of the Amazon Basin and the eastern foothills of the Andes, at elevations up to 1634 m. It was formerly assigned to the genus Micoureus, which was made a subgenus of Marmosa in 2009.
The red mouse opossum is a South American marsupial of the family Didelphidae. Its range includes eastern Ecuador and Peru.
The Chacoan pygmy opossum is a recently described genus and species of didelphimorph marsupial. The only species in Chacodelphys, C. formosa, was known until 2004 from only one specimen collected in 1920 in the Chaco of Formosa Province, Argentina. The species is gaining popularity as a pocket pet.
Emilia's gracile opossum is an opossum species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname.
Tschudi's slender opossum is an opossum species from South America, named after Swiss naturalist Johann Jakob von Tschudi. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.
The gray slender opossum, is an opossum species from Brazil.
The neblina slender opossum is an opossum species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, and perhaps Peru.
The white-bellied slender opossum is a species of opossum from South America. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.
The long-nosed short-tailed opossum, is an opossum species in Argentina and Brazil.
The northern three-striped opossum is an opossum species from South America.
Kalinowski's mouse opossum or the Peru gracile mouse opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests at elevations up to 1000 m.
Osgood's short-tailed opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss. The opossum is named after American zoologist W. H. Osgood.
Gracilinanus is a genus of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It was separated from the genus Marmosa in 1989, and has since had the genera Cryptonanus, Chacodelphys, and Hyladelphys removed from it.
Bishop's slender opossum is a small, arboreal marsupial opossum native to Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. It somewhat resembles a placental rat or shrew.
The Guahiba gracile opossum is a species of opossum in the family Didelphidae. It is endemic to southern Brazil, where it is known only from three islands, Guahiba, São Lourenço, and Taquara, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The poorly studied species is presumed to inhabit subtropical forests, and thus to be threatened by deforestation.
The Quechuan mouse opossum is a South American opossum species of the family Didelphidae. It is known from two areas of montane forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru, at altitudes from 300 to 2700 m. The type locality in the Valle de Occobamba is in the southern area, in Cuzco Region, while the northern area is in the vicinity of Moyobamba in San Martín Region. The true range may be more extensive and possibly extends into Bolivia. The northern area has suffered from habitat destruction, but the southern area is not seriously degraded.
Tate's woolly mouse opossum is an omnivorous, arboreal South American marsupial of the family Didelphidae, named after American zoologist George Henry Hamilton Tate. It is native to Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The species lives in both primary and secondary forest, including forest fragments within grassland. Insects are a major component of its diet. It was formerly assigned to the genus Micoureus, which was made a subgenus of Marmosa in 2009. While its conservation status is "least concern", its habitat is shrinking through urbanization and conversion to agriculture over much of its range.
The Amazonian red-sided opossum is a South American opossum species of the family Didelphidae, formerly viewed as part of M. brevicaudata. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru, where it inhabits the Amazon rainforest. It is omnivorous, nocturnal, and primarily nonarboreal.