GUWS Medical

Didelphimorphia New World opossums

(Didelphidae)

Class Mammalia Order Didelphimorphia Family Didelphidae Number of families 1

Thumbnail description

Small- to medium-sized terrestrial mammal with long, naked tail, opposable thumbs both in the hands and feet, long, pointed snout, naked ears that range from small to large, and medium to large eyes; color varies from nearly pure white to blackish; some species are unicolored, whereas others have distinct light and dark blotches and bands

Size

Number of genera, species

15 genera; 61 species

Habitat

Dry and moist tropical forests, temperate forest, woodland, grasslands, scrub, and mangroves

Conservation status

Critically Endangered: 3 species; Endangered: 3 species; Vulnerable: 15 species; Near Threatened: 18 species; Data Deficient: 2 species

Distribution

North America from southern Canada and New England to southern Mexico, Central America, and South America to southern Argentina and Chile

Distribution

North America from southern Canada and New England to southern Mexico, Central America, and South America to southern Argentina and Chile