Woolly opossum

Caluromys philander (copper engraving after a drawing by Jacques de Seve )

The wool opossums ( Caluromys ) are a genus of opossums ( Didelphidae ) and distributed in the Americas from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.

Description

They reach a body length 18-29 centimeters and a weight of 200 to 500 grams. The 27-49 cm long, half hairy tail can be used as a prehensile tail. Her soft, long fur is reddish - brown or gray in color and sometimes patterned white, the underside is yellowish. A characteristic feature is the black face stripes.

Habitat and behavior

Their habitat are primarily forests where they live mainly in trees. They are skillful climbers and crepuscular or nocturnal. They live solitary, but do not show very territorial.

Wool opossums are omnivorous, their diet consists of fruit, seeds, leaves, insects and small vertebrates.

Up to three times a year the female gives birth three to four, rarely up to seven pups. The gestation period is the longest of all possums with 25 days. The neonatal three months left in the bag and are weaned at four months. The highest known age a wool possum was six years.

System

There are three types:

• Caluromys derbianus is distributed from southern Mexico to Ecuador.
• Caluromys lanatus lives from Colombia to northern Argentina.
• Caluromys philander is located between Venezuela and southern Brazil.

Threat

The World Conservation Union IUCN performs all three types of wool possums in the Red List of endangered species; However, they are classified as "low risk" (Least Concern ) rated.

Wool opossums are primarily threatened by the destruction of their habitat. In earlier times they were hunted for their fur, but this practice is carried out today any more.