Gray four-eyed opossum
| 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) | |
| 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] but generally below 1000 m.[3] Its habitats include primary, secondary and disturbed forest.[2]
Description
It has a sharply defined white spot above each eye, hence the common name.[4][5] Its prehensile tail is bicolored, with a pale distal part and a longer proximal darker gray part, and is naked at the end.[4][5] 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]
Biology
The species is nocturnal, solitary and partly arboreal.[2] It is usually found in moist areas, often near streams, although it wanders in many different vegetation types.[2] It is a good swimmer.[2] Females give birth to from 1 to 7 young, with average litters of 4 to 5.[5]
Gray four-eyed opossums do not have a well defined territory, and home range stability depends on the availability of adequate resources.[4] They are omnivorous, feeding on small animals and vegetation, such as leaves, seeds, and fruits.[5]
References
- ↑ Gardner, A. L. (2005). "Order Didelphimorphia". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 16–17. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Brito, D., Cuarón, A. D., Reid, F. & Emmons, L. (2008). Philander opossum. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 28 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gardner, Alfred L. (2008). Mammals of South America: Marsupials, xenarthrans, shrews, and bats. University of Chicago Press. pp. 669 (see p. 32). ISBN 0-226-28240-6.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Eisenberg, John F.; Redford, Kent H. (May 15, 2000). Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 3: The Central Neotropics: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil. University of Chicago Press. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-0-226-19542-1. OCLC 493329394.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Waters, M. (2000). "Philander opossum". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 2012-05-19.