| Gray four-eyed opossum[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Didelphimorphia |
| Family: | Didelphidae |
| Genus: | Philander |
| Species: | P. opossum |
| Binomial name | |
| Philander opossum (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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| Subspecies | |
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| Gray four-eyed opossum range | |
The gray four-eyed opossum, Philander opossum, is an opossum species from Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia and southwestern Brazil, at altitudes from sea level to 1600 m.[2] Its habitats include primary, secondary and disturbed forest.[2]
It has a sharply defined white spot above each eye and a bicolored tail, with a white distal part and a longer proximal darker part. Its dorsal fur is gray, while its ventral fur, throat, and cheeks are cream-colored. Adults have ears that are black except at the base.[3]
The species is nocturnal, solitary and partly arboreal. It is usually found in moist areas, often near streams, although it wanders in many different vegetation types. It is a good swimmer.[2] Females give birth to from 2 to 7 young.
Gray four-eyed opossums do not have a well defined territory, and home range stability depends on the availability of adequate resources. They are omnivorous, feeding on small animals and vegetation, such as leaves, seeds, and fruits.[4]