Baby possum feeding

What Do Possums Eat? Can You Feed Baby Possums?

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If you find a baby possum abandoned on the side of the road somewhere, you probably shouldn’t pick them up before calling animal control. But what happens if you have no choice but to take them home to nurse them back to health? You might find yourself with an adorable conundrum on your hands. You might even find yourself wondering a few things about possum biology and behavior. For instance: can you feed baby possums? Should you feed them? And either way, what do possums eat?

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What kind of possum are we talking about?

If you’re from Australia, a possum is a very different animal from the one Americans keep referring to as possums. What we are talking about is the opossum, America's only marsupial, and one that possesses very few similarities to its Aussie cousin. There are 65 different species of opossum in North America, according to the Opossum Society. The most common of these many marsupials is the Virginia opossum, which is the one we shall focus on today.

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What do possums eat?

Frankly, when it comes to the opossum, the question “what do they eat?” doesn’t really seem appropriate. It might be more appropriate to ask “what don’t they eat?” Opossums have always had a bit of a bad reputation among suburban residents for being scavengers — which, of course, they are. But that doesn’t mean we should hold it against them. Especially because their versatile diets actually help us get rid of carrion (decaying dead animal bodies).

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According to pest control company Terminix, opossums eat everything from dead animals to insects, rodents, birds, frogs, plants, fruit, and grain. They don’t just feed on the flesh of carrion or roadkill either. Possum diets require a high degree of calcium, which they can get from eating the skeletal remains of rodents and other dead creatures. Opossums will also eat cat food, dog food, and table scraps from our garbage cans. Unfortunately, it is this “taste for trash” that makes them more of a pest than a helper in the eyes of many.

How do possums eat so many different things?

Opossums are scavengers by evolution and opportunity. They are nocturnal but possess poor eyesight, which doesn’t really help when it comes to trying to find food. Luckily, they make up for this with great hearing and a very keen sense of smell. This has made them fairly successful opportunists, especially when they find themselves living in and around suburban and rural communities.

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These remarkable marsupials possess other positive traits as well — though we will admit that most of these also have to do with them finding food. Opossums don’t just find food well, they can also remember where it is located for the next time. According to Landscape Architecture Magazine, possums scored higher than rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs in laboratory tests meant to recall where food was placed. That’s why it’s so hard to get rid of possums on your own — they remember where you keep the goods!

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What do baby possums eat?

Adults may be great at scavenging, but baby opossums are not nearly as well-equipped. Like all marsupials, opossum mommies lack a placenta, so their young must grow and be kept in a pouch. Newborn opossums are about the size of a honey bee and will stay in their mother’s pouch for around 80 days before they are mature enough to begin scavenging on their own.

What to feed baby possums?

Once they are big enough to leave the pouch, baby possums can eat just about everything. You can feed them dog and cat food in moderation. You could also feed them insects like cockroaches, worms, slugs, and snails (one of their favorite foods). This is only pertinent if the baby is old enough, of course, and with an orphaned opossum, that isn’t always known.

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According to the blog WildHeart, baby possums do not thrive on milk. For one, marsupial milk is very different from cow’s milk or formula. On top of that, baby possums don’t suckle like other animals, so attempting to bottle feed could cause them to aspirate and die. The point we’re trying to make here is that you, reader, are likely ill-equipped to feed or care for a baby possum on your own.

Should I feed a baby possum?

No, you really, really shouldn’t — not without some guidance, anyway, If you find a baby possum, either alone or attached to their deceased mother, you should contact your local animal control, veterinarian, or animal rescue right away. If the baby possum is alone and walking in the wilderness and you can’t help yourself, get a box with towels or old shirts, along with a wrapped heating pad or water bottle, and get them to an animal expert as quickly as possible. That is the best way to help them.

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Caring for Baby Opossums - Exotic Nutrition

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Keep Them Warm & Hydrated

The first thing you need to do is make sure babies are warmed up before trying to feed them anything. You can do this by wrapping them in t-shirt material or fleece (don’t use towels because they may get caught on the loops) and putting a heating pad on low underneath one side of their enclosure. You can also use a plastic water bottle filled with hot water and wrapped in a cloth, or a sock filled with rice and microwaved. Then, before feeding formula, you need to make sure they’re hydrated. Start by giving them diluted, unflavored Pedialyte for 12-24 hours before attempting to feed them anything else.

Formula

After they’ve been properly hydrated, you can begin giving them diluted formula and then slowly move up to regular strength over the next few days so they can adjust to the food. For infants under 40 grams, make the formula with 1 part formula to 5 parts water and slowly work them up to 1 part formula to 2 parts water. For very small babies, use 1 part formula to 10 parts water.

To make the formula, you will need:

Bottled Spring Water
Goat’s Milk Esbilac Puppy Formula
Calcium Glubionate Syrup
Boiled egg yolk or powdered egg yolk
Brewer’s Yeast
Unsweetened apple juice
Nutrical
Lactaid

Mix 1/3 Esbilac formula and 1 cup spring water for regular strength formula. Add 200 mg of Calcium Glubionate Syrup, ½ medium boiled egg yolk (or powdered egg yolk for a smoother formula), 1/2 tsp powdered brewer’s yeast, 2 tsp unsweetened apple juice, 1 tsp of Nutrical, and Lactaid (use the directions on the bottle to mix the right amount for the amount of formula you’re making). Make sure to refrigerate the prepared formula for 12 hours before feeding it so the Lactaid works properly.

Use the following chart to determine how much and how often to feed your opossum based on their weight:

Weight	Amount	Frequency
10 g	.5 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
15 g	. 75 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
20 g	1 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
25 g	1.25 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
30 g	1.5 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
35 g	1.75 ml	Every 2-3 hrs
40 g	2 ml	Every 4 hrs
45 g	2.25 ml	Every 4 hrs
50 g	2. 5 ml	Every 4 hrs
55 g	2.75 ml	Every 4 hrs
60 g	3 ml	Every 6 hrs
65 g	3.25 ml	Every 6 hrs
70 g	3.5 ml	Every 6 hrs
75 g	4 ml	Every 6 hrs
80 - 85 g	4.25 ml	Every 6 hrs
90 g	4. 5 ml	Every 6 hrs
95 g	4.75 ml	Every 6 hrs
100 g	5 ml	Every 6 hrs

Feeding & Elimination

Young babies will not be able to feed themselves, so it’s best to feed them by using a dropper or syringe. Once they are able to lap up food themselves (usually once they’re 40-50 g), you can give them a shallow bowl of formula to encourage self-feeding. They will be messy at this stage, so make sure to do this in an area that can be easily cleaned.

You will also need to stimulate them to eliminate waste, as they are unable to do this on their own as babies. You can do this either before or after feeding, by using a warm wet cotton ball to gently stroke the genital area towards the tail until urine or feces is produced. Keep doing so until they are completely done. This action simulates the mother’s tongue, and is very important for preventing a ruptured bladder.

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How to "play possum"? | Animals

Moreover, during the entire time of their existence (beginning from the Cretaceous period - the era of dinosaurs), opossums even outwardly almost did not change. The same rat-like appearance, disheveled fur, bare pink paws, ears and tail, and a wide mouth with sharp teeth. Like rats, possums are tenacious, cunning, and thieving creatures. Suffice it to recall the desperate and impudent brothers - Crash and Eddie - from the film "Ice Age-2". Opossums are practically omnivorous - their diet includes fruits, worms, insects, frogs, even chicks. Those of us who are not particularly squeamish may find that the meat of the opossum itself is quite edible.

Mine Reed "The Headless Horseman":
"Damn it, you're a black man! Next time, Pluto, when I wander into these parts, I will give you an opossum with meat as tender as that of a two-year-old chicken.

But one quality of this animal deserves special attention. In the vocabulary of Americans, you can find the expression: "Stop playing possum", which in our opinion sounds like "Stop pretending to be a felt boot, pretending."

The fact is that when the animal is in immediate danger (like being attacked by a dog), it often uses a proven technique - it pretends to be a corpse. At the same time, he pretends to be very convincing: his eyes turn glassy, his tongue falls out, foam flows from his mouth, and an unpleasant smell flows from the anal glands. Scientists are still guessing - what is it: a skillful "acting" game or a stressful state of catalepsy, in which even the heartbeat slows down?

It is said that if necessary, the opossum can imitate the finale of Hamlet for up to several hours. As soon as the danger disappears, the animal begins to “come to life” - it turns over, carefully looks around with its black eyes, after which it gives a goose.

P. G. Wodehouse “Keep it up, Jeeves!”:
“One of the great lessons of life is that when a man hears a fight between two females, a man should go into a corner and curl up in a ball, better yet, use the clever tactics of the possum, who pretends to be dead as soon as the air smells of fried, and sometimes goes so far as to gather around his friends and make them lament over his body.

D. Harris "Uncle Remus' Tales":
"- Tell the tales, Brother Possum. As the dog touched you, you immediately tumbled and pretended to be dead.

— So I tell you, Brother Raccoon, that it is not at all from fear. There is only one thing I am afraid of in the world - it is tickling. And when this dog poked its nose into my ribs, I laughed, and the laughter made me laugh so much that I couldn’t move my hand or foot! Of course, it's her luck that I'm ticklish, otherwise a minute more and I would have torn her to shreds. I'm not afraid of any fight, Brother Raccoon, but tickling is another matter. I agree to fight with anyone, but only - mind you - without tickling.

F. Krivin:
“The opossum pretends to be dead so cleverly that he even falls from a tree and can no longer tell whether he is dead or alive.

What do you think, is it so easy to figure it out? When you've been faking all your life, all you know is that you're faking, how can you say with certainty - are you a possum or no longer a possum?

Since Australia was discovered much later than America, it was the opossum that became the first marsupial that European civilization met. The Columbus expedition delivered an unusual animal directly to the royal palace. The Spanish monarchs - Ferdinand and Isabella - personally made sure that the female opossum had a bag and did not even disdain to put their hand in it.

Ciez de León Chronicle of Peru, 1553:
“... there were seven cubs near her, and as she heard a noise, she opened the bag, which nature placed on her own abdomen, and she very quickly gathered the cubs, running away with great agility, so that I was afraid for her existence - being so small, to run with such a burden - and still run away. They call this animal Chucha.

As in the case of kangaroos, for a long time people could not believe that tiny premature opossum cubs are born in the usual way - from the genital opening, and only then get to the pouch. Among the local residents of America, there was even a belief about the "immaculate conception" of these animals - they say, the male and female simply rub their noses, after which the embryos immediately grow in the bag directly from the nipples.

In fact, premature opossums do the same marathon as kangaroos - clinging to the wool, crawling from the birthplace to the feeding area. There are only thirteen nipples in the bag, so if more cubs are born, only the thirteen most agile get the right to live.

When the cubs grow up, they leave the pouch, but at the same time they do not leave their mother for a long time. The kids just ride it like a tram, clutching the wool with their paws (and the paws of possums are very dexterous, similar to a human brush).

D. Attenborough Life on Earth:
“At the beginning of the 18th century, a famous painting appeared in Europe depicting a female South American opossum with cubs, whose tails are neatly wrapped around the outstretched tail of the mother. The picture was copied many times, each time making changes, until, in the end, it turned out that the mother lifted her tail over her back, and the babies hang from it in a row on their tails, like passengers on a tram. When stuffed possums began to be stuffed in museums, then, naturally, they consulted from books and gave the exhibits just such a peculiar position, which further supported the widespread version. But this is just a fairy tale, of which many are told about these extraordinary creatures.

Possum tails are indeed prehensile, but not as prehensile as people think. The cubs can still hang on one tail for some time, but it is not so easy for grown-up adults to do this, so they use the tail as a useful bonus.

It must be said that when describing opossums, I was guided mainly by a portrait of one - the most common species - Virginian. But there are other types that are no less remarkable.

For example, the water opossum, or swimmer, is the only marsupial adapted to an aquatic lifestyle (it is not for nothing that its hind legs are webbed). Even a female swims with a bag full of cubs. True, the bag is special - able to "tighten" with the help of a special muscle.

Even more original is the woolly opossum. The fact is that this marsupial bag just doesn’t have it. Underdeveloped cubs (namely, this is the main property of the marsupial order) simply hang on the nipples, hidden in thick wool.

There are not only remarkable species among opossums, but also remarkable individuals. So, in 2010, a female Virginian opossum named Heidi received worldwide PR. This inhabitant of the Leipzig Zoo attracted the attention of people with her excellent ... squint. A photo of funny Heidi was distributed in newspapers and the Internet, and many even dedicated songs to her. Unfortunately, she did not enjoy fame for long. Heidi was already very old, and by 2011 she was also seriously ill. To prevent the animal from suffering, the zoo decided to euthanize it.

Tags: zoology, interesting fact, fauna, animals, nature

Opossums

Common possum
Common Opossum
(Didelphis marsupialis)

Distributed from southern Mexico south to northern Peru, eastern Bolivia and Paraguay.

Possum the size of a domestic cat. Body length 36-53 cm, tail - 25-33 cm, weight 1.6-5.7 kg.

They inhabit a wide variety of areas - both low-lying and elevated, mainly near water bodies. Active mainly at night. Compared to other mammals, they seem slow and stupid. They often pretend to be dead, which probably has a protective meaning. They climb trees beautifully with the help of far-spaced thumbs and a muscular grasping tail.

Females start breeding at one year of age. Hollows, soil voids, under buildings, in garbage, etc. serve as shelter. In the north, opossums have one brood, in the rest of the range - two broods per year. The brood initially consists of 8-18 cubs. After leaving the bag, usually no more than 7 cubs remain. Newborns together weigh 2 g, and 20 of these newborns fit comfortably in a teaspoon.

Opossums are almost omnivores. They eat carrion, invertebrates, mice, reptiles, amphibians, mushrooms, many cultivated plants, especially corn and cereals.

Virginia Opossum
Virginia Opossum
(Didelphis virginiana)

Widely distributed throughout Central and North America.

Body length - 38-51 cm, weight 4-6 kg.

Predominantly inhabits dry wooded areas, but often found in prairies, swamps and agricultural plantations. Adheres to forest thickets along rivers. It rests in hollows of trees, in heaps of deadwood, mountain caves, basements, attics, underground utilities. He does not dig holes himself, he uses other people's dens. Active at night, goes in search of food after dark. It feeds on rats, mice, young rabbits, birds, insects, frogs, fruits and vegetables.

The Virginia opossum is known for its ability to play dead. This should not be taken as a sign of submissiveness of this animal, when seriously threatened, the opossum will behave quite ferociously, hissing, squealing and baring its teeth.

Pregnancy lasts 11-12 days. Cubs, numbering from 5 to 21, are born in February or June. They are blind, almost helpless, about the size of a bee, looking more like embryos than mature animals.

White-eared opossum
White-eared Opossum
(Didelphis albiventris)

Inhabits South America, subtropics and Argentine pampas, as well as in the Andes. Inhabits plains, forests, swamps, rain forests, mountain forests up to 2,500 m above sea level, much less common in arid and semi-arid areas, common in areas of agricultural activity.

Starts breeding season from December to January.

Big-eared opossum
Big-eared Opossum
(Didelphis aurita)

Distributed along the Atlantic coast from Brazil to northeastern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay, where it inhabits tropical forests and highlands.

Males are larger than females. The mass of males is 1500-1880 g, including the breeding season. Females during the breeding season reach a mass of 1000-1300 g.

The breeding season of big-eared opossums coincides with the rainy season. After a short pregnancy, about 7 tiny babies are born, which are more like embryos. They spend about 100 days in their mother's pouch, where they feed on their mother's milk.

Guianan White-eared Opossum
Guianan White-eared Opossum
(Didelphis imperfecta)

Distributed in central and northern South America: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. It lives in tropical forests at an altitude of 60 to 2550 m above sea level.

This opossum is nocturnal solitary. During the day it hides in hollows or crowns of trees, sometimes builds its own nests from leaves or digs holes. Spends most of the time on the ground, but also skillfully climbs trees. This omnivore feeds mainly on invertebrates, but sometimes it eats leaves, fruits, seeds and shoots of various plants, sometimes it preys on small birds.

Andean White-eared Opossum
Andean White-eared Opossum
(Didelphis pernigra)

Distributed in the Andes of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Northwestern Venezuela. Inhabits forests, meadows and shrublands. Keeps at an altitude of 2000-3700 m above sea level.

Chacoan Pygmy Opossum
(Chacodelphys formosa)

Known from only one individual caught in 1920 in Argentina in the Gran Chaco region.

The smallest of all members of the family. Body length about 68 mm, tail length - 55 mm.

Kalinowski's Mouse Opossum
Kalinowski's Mouse Opossum
(Hyladelphys kalinowskii)

Distributed in French Guiana, Guyana and Peru. Inhabits subtropical and tropical lowland forests.

Water Opossum
Water Opossum
(Chironectes minimus)

Inhabits tropical and subtropical rainforests from southern Mexico to Argentina, distributed in Central and South America - Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Venezuela , Paraguay, Eastern Brazil up to the north of Argentina. Settles along reservoirs with running water. Encounters in mountainous areas are noted.

Body length including head 270-400 mm, tail 310-430 mm.

Leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It feeds on crayfish, shrimps, fish, frogs, possibly aquatic vegetation and fruits. It catches its prey afloat, grabbing it with its front paws.

They lead a solitary life, do not form family groups, except for a female with cubs. Active at night. It spends most of its life underground in burrows near the water, each burrow has a nesting chamber insulated with grass and leaves, a tunnel about 0.6 m long, directed at an angle of 45 degrees, and an exit to the reservoir at a height of 102 mm above the water level. The mating season is marked in December-January (Brazil). The female with cubs was met in February. There are from 1 to 5 cubs in a litter.

Chacoan Gracile Opossum
Chacoan Gracile Opossum
(Cryptonanus chacoensis)

Inhabits the plains and forests of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Body weight from 15 to 40 g.

The genus (Cryptonanus) also includes: Agricola's graceful opossum (Cryptonanus agricolai), Guahiba Gracile Opossum (Cryptonanus guahybae), Red-bellied graceful opossum (Cryptonanus ignitus), Unduavian graceful opossum (Cryptonanus unduaviensis).

Bolivian Gracile Opossum
Bolivian Gracile Opossum
(Gracilinanus aceramarcae)

Distributed in subtropical and tropical forests of Bolivia and Peru.

Agile Gracile Opossum
(Gracilinanus agilis)

Distributed mainly in dry and seasonally dry forests south of the Amazon, Bolivia and Paraguay. It occurs at altitudes up to 1800 m above sea level. Leads an arboreal lifestyle.

This is a very small animal with a body length of 215 mm, of which 123 mm is on the tail. Body weight is 13-22 g. Males are somewhat larger than females.

Northern Gracile Opossum
Northern Gracile Opossum
(Gracilinanus marica)

Inhabits subtropical and tropical forests of Colombia and Venezuela.

Brazilian Gracile Opossum
Brazilian Gracile Opossum
(Gracilinanus microtarsus)

Distributed in southeastern Brazil.

The genus (Gracilinanus) also includes: Tree graceful opossum (Gracilinanus dryas), Gracilinanus emilae graceful opossum.

Patagonian opossum
Patagonian opossum
(Lestodelphys halli)

Distributed in southern Argentina: Patagonian pampas; in the provinces of Chubut, Mendoza, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Santa Cruz. Leads a nocturnal solitary lifestyle.

Body length - 13.3-14.5 cm, tail length - 9.5 cm. Body weight from 70 to 80 g.

Unlike other opossums, this is mainly a carnivore. The diet consists of small birds, rodents and other vertebrates. They can also eat fruits and insects. During the winter months they may hunt under the snow and not hibernate. Able to accumulate fat at the base of the tail.

Thick-tailed Opossum
Thick-tailed Opossum
(Lutreolina crassicaudata)

Distributed from Guiana to northern Patagonia.

Body length about 30 cm, tail length 35 cm.

Inhabits forests, pampas, river and lake banks. It is predominantly a terrestrial species. Agile, runs fast, swims well. Hollow trees provide shelter. It feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects, sometimes plants and seeds. There are 2 litters during the year. Pregnancy lasts about 14 days.

Mexican Mouse Opossum
Mexican Mouse Opossum
(Marmosa mexicana)

Distributed in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Inhabits wet and dry tropical forests.

Nocturnal. It builds nests under fallen tree trunks, in tall grass, in small dense bushes, although it is also capable of digging shallow burrows. Sometimes found in abandoned bird nests. The main natural enemies are owls and snakes.

Feeds mainly on insects and fruits, but may also eat small rodents, lizards and bird eggs.

Unlike other marsupials, the female Mexican mouse opossum does not have a pouch. They carry their babies on their backs. There can be up to 13 cubs in a litter, although most do not survive to maturity. Mothers usually eat dead young.

Mouse Opossum
Linnaeus's Mouse Opossum
(Marmosa murina)

Distributed in Venezuela, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Eastern Ecuador, Eastern Peru, Eastern Bolivia. These are mountain animals, common at significant altitudes (2500 m and above).

The maximum length of the body is 11-14.5 cm, the tail is 13.5-21 cm.

These arboreal animals usually stay alone. Nests are built (from leaves and twigs) on trees, less often on the ground. They feed on small insects, fruits, small rodents, lizards and bird eggs.

Pregnancy lasts about 13 days, after which 5-10 babies are born.

Rufous Mouse Opossum
Rufous Mouse Opossum
(Marmosa lepida)

Distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname.

Robinson's Mouse Opossum
Robinson's Mouse Opossum
(Marmosa robinsoni)

Distributed in Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Vene- zuela and Tobago

The genus (Marmosa) also includes: Anderson's mouse opossum (Marmosa andersoni), Quechuan mouse opossum (Marmosa quichua), Red mouse opossum (Marmosa rubra), Tyler's mouse opossum (Marmosa tyleriana), Guajira Mouse Opossum (Marmosa xerophila).

Alston's Mouse Opossum
Alston's Mouse Opossum
(Micoureus alstoni)

Inhabits forests from Belize to Northern Colombia.

Leads a nocturnal arboreal lifestyle. Occasionally descends to the ground in search of food. The basis of the diet includes insects and fruits, but can eat small mammals, lizards and bird eggs.

White-bellied Woolly Mouse Opossum
White-bellied Woolly Mouse Opossum
(Micoureus constantiae)

Inhabits the humid forests of Eastern Bolivia, Brazil (state of Mato Grosso) and Northwestern Argentina

Woolly Mouse Opossum
Woolly Mouse Opossum
(Micoureus demerarae)

Distributed in Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil and Eastern Paraguay.

Paraguayan Woolly Mouse Opossum
Tate's Woolly Mouse Opossum
(Micoureus paraguayanus)

Inhabits the forests of the Atlantic coast of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Bare-tailed Woolly Mouse Opossum
(Micoureus regina)

Distributed in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

The genus (Micoureus) also includes: Small woolly mouse opossum (Micoureus phaeus).

Grayish Mouse Opossum
Grayish Mouse Opossum
(Tlacuatzin canescens)

Distributed in Mexico from the state of Sanora to Oaxaca. Inhabits mixed and tropical forests up to an altitude of 2100 m above sea level, most often found up to 1000 m above sea level.

Body length 205-350 mm.

Builds nests from dry leaves and stems among stones, in hollows, cacti, bushes, sometimes occupies nests of birds.

Leads a solitary lifestyle. There is no specific breeding season.

Andean slender opossum
Tschudi's Slender Opossum
(Marmosops impavidus)

Distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. It lives in forests at an altitude of about 2300 m above sea level, although sometimes it is found even lower (1000 m).

Leads a nocturnal solitary lifestyle. It feeds mainly on insects and fruits.

Gray Slender Opossum
Gray Slender Opossum
(Marmosops incanus)

Widespread along the east coast of Brazil, from about 10 to 25 degrees south latitude.

The body length of males is 270-430 mm, weight - 25-140 g. Females are slightly smaller - 240-360 mm, weighing 20-70 g. also on the continental islands. Sometimes found in drier forests, on the Brazilian plateau up to 1300 m above sea level.

This predominantly insectivorous animal preys on insects of the orders Coleoptera and Orthoptera.

This species has a unique life cycle. Breeding occurs over a three-month period from September to December, after which all adult males die. Adult females live and raise offspring until May. Thus, the life span of males is about a year, for females a year and a half.

White-bellied Slender Opossum
White-bellied Slender Opossum
(Marmosops noctivagus)

Distributed in the Amazon rainforests: Ecuador, Peru, Western Brazil and Bolivia. Prefers swampy watery areas.

Leads a nocturnal solitary lifestyle. Keeps both on trees and on the ground. It feeds on insects and fruits.

Delicate Slender Opossum
Delicate Slender Opossum
(Marmosops parvidens)

Distributed in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Northern Brazil. Prefers tropical rain forests.

The genus (Marmosops) also includes: Narrow-headed slender opossum (Marmosops cracens), Bishop's slender opossum (Marmosops bishopi), Dorothy's slender opossum (Marmosops dorothea), Dark slender possum (Marmosops fuscatus), Handley's slender opossum (Marmosops handleyi), Panama slender Opossum (Marmosops invictus), Junin Slender Opossum (Marmosops juninensis), Neblina Slender Opossum (Marmosops neblina), Brazilian Slender Opossum (Marmosops paulensis), Pinheiros Slender Opossum (Marmosops pinheiroi).

Brown Four-eyed Opossum
Brown Four-eyed Opossum
(Metachirus nudicaudatus)

Distributed from Nicaragua south to Paraguay and Northern Argentina.

This is a fairly large animal (body length 25-26 cm, tail 33 cm).

Inhabits dense forests or shrubs on plains. Leads an arboreal lifestyle. It builds a large nest of leaves and twigs on trees. Omnivorous, eats fruits, mollusks, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and their eggs, small mammals.

The female of this species of opossum does not have a pouch. Instead of a bag, she has two lateral folds of skin in the lower abdomen, on which the mammary glands are located. After birth, the cubs are not contained in the bag, but climb onto the mother's back. There are from 1 to 3 cubs in the litter, they weigh about 51 g.

Brown naked-tailed opossum
Sepia Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis adusta)

The habitat of these animals does not go beyond Brazil and some adjacent countries (Guiana, Venezuela).

Feeds on small rodents and insects, as well as juicy fruits, seeds and carrion. There are 8-14 cubs in a litter.

Northern Three-striped Opossum
Northern Three-striped Opossum
(Monodelphis americana)

Distributed in Eastern Brazil from the state of Para south to Santa Catarina.

Leads a terrestrial nocturnal lifestyle. It builds nests in the forks of trees or shrubs, preferring to settle near water. It feeds mainly on insects, although in captivity it willingly eats small vertebrates.

Ihering's Three-striped Opossum
(Monodelphis iheringe)

Distributed in southeastern Brazil, where it inhabits the subtropical forests of the Atlantic coast.

Northern Red-sided Opossum
Northern Red-sided Opossum
(Monodelphis brevicaudata)

Inhabits the forests of Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.

Has underdeveloped claws, so it leads a terrestrial lifestyle. This is a nocturnal animal. The day is spent in the cavities of logs or trees. The diet consists of seeds, shoots, fruits, insects, and sometimes eats carrion and small vertebrates.

There are up to 14 cubs in the litter, which are born throughout the year. The female does not have a bag, so the cubs cling to wool and nipples. At an older age, the young move to the back of the mother.

Southern red-sided opossum
Southern Red-sided Opossum
(Monodelphis sorex)

Distributed in southeastern Brazil: from the state of Minas Gerais to Rio Grande do Sul, in the Paraguayan province of Misiones and in northeastern Argentina.

Leads a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle. Most active at dusk and dawn. It feeds mainly on insects, although it may eat fruits and small vertebrates.

Yellow-tailed opossum
Yellow-sided Opossum
(Monodelphis dimidiata)

Distributed in Uruguay, Southeast Brazil, North and Central Argentina and Southeast Paraguay.

Gray Short-tailed Opossum
Gray Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis domestica)

Distributed in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay, where it inhabits tropical forests and grassy areas. Often found near human habitation. Forages on the ground or low vegetation.

Body length from 10 to 15 cm. Weight - 90-155 g.

Males mark the territory with a secret from the mammary glands, which attracts females and warns other males. Sexual maturity is reached at 18-20 weeks. Pregnancy lasts 14-15 days, after which 7-9 cubs are born. A female can have up to 5 litters per year. Immediately after birth, the cubs descend to the mother's abdomen and attach themselves to the nipple. So they spend 3 to 4 weeks. The next 3 months, the young spend on the back of the mother or follow her. Males do not take part in the upbringing of offspring and, upon meeting, can behave quite aggressively towards him.

Emilia's Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis emiliae)

Distributed in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru.

Osgood's Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis osgoodi)

Distributed in subtropical and tropical lowland forests of Bolivia and Peru.

Pygmy Shorttail Possum
Pygmy Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis kunsi)

Distributed in Bolivia, Brazil and northern Argentina, where it lives up to 1500 m above sea level.

Long-nosed short-tailed opossum
Long-nosed Short-tailed Opossum
(Monodelphis scalops)

Distributed in Southeast Brazil: in the states of Espirito de Santo Katarina. Inhabits the lowland forests of the Atlantic coast.

Amazonian Red-sided Opossum
Amazonian Red-sided Opossum
(Monodelphis glirina)

Distributed in humid Amazonian forests from the western bank of the Xingu River (Brazil) to the west through the Manu River to Bolivia.

Gardner's Short-tailed Opposum
(Monodelphis gardneri)

Inhabits the mountain forests of Central Peru.

The genus (Monodelphis) also includes: Marai short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis maraxina), Hooded red-sided opossum (Monodelphis palliolata), Reiga opossum (Monodelphis reigi), Ronald's opossum (Monodelphis ronaldi), Chestnut striped opossum (Monodelphis rubida), Southern three-banded opossum (Monodelphi theresa), Red three-striped opossum (Monodelphis umbristriata), Single-striped opossum (Monodelphis unistriata).

Gray four-eyed opossum
Gray Four-eyed Opossum
(Philander opossum)

Inhabits Central America north to the Yucatan Peninsula and South America to Paraguay and southern Brazil.

Body length 27-29 cm, tail 38-39 cm.

Inhabits forests near swamps and rivers. Leads an arboreal lifestyle. Runs fast on land and swims well. It builds spherical nests on trees with a diameter of about 30 cm. There is no seasonality in reproduction. There are 1 to 3 cubs in a litter. Feeds on small fish and other aquatic animals.

Southeastern Four-eyed Opossum
Southeastern Four-eyed Opossum
(Philander frenatus)

Distributed in Brazil and Peru.

The genus (Philander) also includes: Anderson's four-eyed opossum (Philander andersoni), Delta four-eyed opossum (Philander deltae), Mk Ilhenna's four-eyed opossum (Philander mcilhennyi), Mondolf's four-eyed opossum (Philander mondolfii), Olrog's four-eyed opossum (Philander olrogi).

Elegant Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
Elegant Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys elegans)

Distributed in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru at an altitude of about 2500 m above sea level.

Body length from 106 to 121 mm. Tail - 115-142 mm.

Feeds predominantly on arthropods and their larvae, although it may eat fruit, small vertebrates and possibly carrion. In Chile, the breeding season runs from September to March. There are 2 litters during the breeding season. The female gives birth to 8 to 12 cubs.

Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys karimii)

It is endemic to Central and Northeast Brazil.

Body length approx. 95 mm, tail length approx. 72 mm.

White-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys pallidior)

Distributed in Argentina and Bolivia.

Body length - 84-99 mm. Tail length - 104-113 mm.

Common Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
Common Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys pusillus)

Distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.

Body length from 75 to 120 mm. Tail length - 90-134 mm.

Buff-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
Buff-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys venustus)

Inhabits the forests of northern Argentina and southern Bolivia.

Paraguayan Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
Paraguayan Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
(Thylamys macrurus)

Inhabits the forests of Brazil and Paraguay.

Body length approx. 135 mm, tail length 140 mm.

The genus (Thylamys) also includes: Cinderella Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum (Thylamys cinderella), Argentine fat-tailed opossum (Thylamys sponsorius), Tate's fat-tailed opossum (Thylamys tatei), Pygmy fat-tailed opossum (Thylamys velutinus).

Woolly OPSISUM Derby
Derby's Woolly Opossum
(Caluromys derbianus)

Obsidates the mountainous and lowlands of Belumbia, Columbia, Costa Ricky, Ecuadora, Gondemala, Hondura, Nizyar, Nizyar, Nizyar, Nizyr. It rises up to 2460 m above sea level.

Body length - 19-27 cm, tail - 40-49 cm.

These opossums are strictly nocturnal. These are more "arboreal" animals than other members of the family. During the day they hide in the hollows of trees. Omnivorous: eat fruits, seeds, insects, small vertebrates.

No specific breeding season. There are 3-6 cubs in a litter. After birth, they are attached to the mother's nipples in a bag, where they are until they become independent enough. Sexual maturity is reached at 7-9 months.

Brown-eared Woolly Opossum
(Caluromys lanatus)

Distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Parazuela, Ecuador, Ecuador It rises up to 2000 m above sea level.

Nocturnal arboreal lifestyle.

Yellow Woolly Opossum
Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum
(Caluromys philander)

Distributed in tropical forests of Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia up to 1800 m above sea level.

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