Likewise eating cooked Virginia opossum meat is believed to prevent heart attacks, using an ointment composed of opossum fat is believed to treat epilepsy and infusing opossum bones in water is believe to treat allergies, dermatitis and coughing. The water opossum has several adaptations for its watery lifestyle. Holocene subfossil fragments of Chironectes have been discovered in São Paulo, Brazil. Water Opossums measure 27 – 40 centimetres (10.5 – 16 inches) in length and weigh between 600 – 800 grams (1.25 – 1.75 pounds). Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. Adults average 70 cm (28 inches) in total length and weigh up to 790 grams (1.7 pounds). Opossums Are Smart Critters . The water opossum lives in bankside burrows, emerging after dusk to swim and search for fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals, which it eats on the bank. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the yapok (/ˈjæpɒk/), is a marsupial of the family Didelphidae. The opossum is a successful scavenger, thanks to its adaptability and excellent immune system. Their hind feet are webbed and both male and female have pouches. Size Approximately 609 to 914 mm (24 to 36 inches) Weight 2.7 to 5.9 kg (6 to 13 lbs.) The water opossum is the most aquatic marsupial. Water opossums eat fish, crabs, frogs, freshwater shrimp, and other small animals found in and along watercourses. This includes feeding animals you keep outside, such as chickens. Possums are also native to Papua New Guinea and Sulawesi, and are also found as an introduced species in New Zealand and China. Water opossum, ( Chironectes minimus ), also called yapok or yapock, a semiaquatic, web-footed marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found along tropical rivers, streams, and lakes from Mexico to Argentina. This behavior … This order consists of more than 103 that are further classified into 19 genera. It has short, dense fur, which is water-repellent. The natural habitat of these animals range from subtropical up to tropical territories, and also near freshwater streams. The water opossum, found on the fringes of the South American rainforest and wetlands, is the most aquatic marsupial in the world. One of the opossum specie is even skilled enough to subdue scorpions. They keep urban areas free from ticks and other pests, which keeps communities cleaner and healthier. The hair covering of a Water Opossum is quite unusual, the fur is a combination of black and gray. [2] It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. A prehensile tail can be wrapped around branches to … An opossum's tail makes up 1/3 of its body length. At 48 days of age, the young opossums detach from the nipples, but they still nurse and sleep with the mother. Water Opossums are carnivorous, easting fish and other small aquatic animals. The pregnant mother may also stay submerged in water while the young newborns are safe inside of the marsupial's pouch. Other interesting facts about Opossums. Yapoks can be found throughout Central and South America, from Mexico all the way down to Argentina. The thylacine, commonly referred to as the Tasmanian tiger, also exhibited this trait, but it is now believed to be extinct. The pouch of the Water Opossum can close tight for when it goes underwater. The largest species of possum is the cuscus. Latra minima (Zimmerman, 1780), Cayenne, French Guiana. This amazing species is North America’s only marsupial (pouched mammal). Most opossums are around the size of a housecat. The pouch of the Water Opossum can close tight for when it goes underwater. They are considered as one of the major marsupials that are found in the Western Hemisphere. Possums are a suborder of 70 tree-living marsupial species native to Australia and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. Remove all sources of food and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house. From opposable toes to an ability to feign death in an instant, discover the most fascinating facts about the opossum. Opossums are, however, highly adaptable. Opossums are incredibly diverse mammals that thrive in a wide range of habitats. It is because of their biolo… Corrections? The opossum has a relatively short life span of around 2 years (or 4 years in captivity). Opossum Facts. Virginia opossums’ pelts may also be sold commercially. Opossum Biology, Life Cycle, Habitat, Diet Whether you have an interest in learning more about the wildlife around your home or want to better understand them as a way to keep them off your property, finding out more about opossums can be a very interesting endeavor. Updates? [3] If looks could kill, opossums would be some of the fiercest predators. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. Morphology of the male genital system of Chironectes minimus and comparison to other didelphid marsupials. The most common species are the common brushtail possum and the common ringtail possum. Chironectes minimus (water opossum or yapok) is native to tropical and subtropical habitats from southern Mexico to Central and South America. The species that many people think of when hearing about this animal is the common opossum, also known as Virginia opossum. Diet. From opposable toes to an ability to feign death in an instant, discover the most fascinating facts about the opossum. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Infraclass: Marsupialia Superorder: Ameridelphia Order: Didelphimorphia Family: Didelphidae The Virginia opossum, the most common member, is termed as Didelphis virginiana. The most common species are the common brushtail possum and the common ringtail possum. The water opossum's tail, furred and black at the base, is yellow or white at its end. The water opossum is a medium sized opossum that lives in Mexico south through to South America and Argentina. 1. A light band runs across the forehead anterior to the ears, which are rounded and naked. Their sensitive ears and whiskers are important in detecting prey in the dark and in the water. The water opossum's long tail also aids in swimming. Opossums will hiss or growl and show their 50 sharp teeth when frightened; but, in reality, they are gentle and placid— they prefer to avoid all confrontations and wish to be left alone. … Water Opossums live in southern Mexico and South America. The water opossum or yapok (Chironectes minimus) is particularly unusual, as it is the only living semi-aquatic marsupial, using its webbed hindlimbs to dive in search of freshwater mollusks and crayfish. Because it lives near rivers, stream and lakes the mammal’s diet is primarily made up for aquatic plants and … There are 23 possum species in Australia. Water Opossum facts and knowledge. Distribution of the Opossum. Water Opossums have waterproof coats which have a grey and black pattern. Interesting Opossum Facts! They dig steep tunnels that end in a n… Below, explore facts about the Virginia opossum including its habits and how to identify damage. Geographic Range. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the yapok, an aquatic marsupial are member of the opossum family with black and grey waterproof fur, webbed hind feet and a backward-pointing pouch in both sexes.This creature is found in the freshwater streams and lakes in Mexico, Central and South America to Argentina.. In this lesson, you will learn about the yapok's behavior and habitat and we will look at some facts about these interesting creatures. It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. One of the shortest lived mammals for its size, typically 2 to 4 years. They have become quite adept at surviving in urban areas. Possums are often attracted to chicken feed and they can kill your chickens if they go into a coop, so feed your chickens midday if possible. The entire ventral surface is silvery white. The diet of an opossum usually consists of a wide range of plants, fruits, seeds, insects like cockroaches and bugs, small reptiles like lizards, bird eggs, earthworms, and snails. It is not impossible to find Water Opossums at high-altitude areas. If left unharmed, a catatonic opossum will recover in roughly one to four hours. Also, there are fossil specimens from the late Pleistocene-Recent cave deposits in Minas Gerais, Brazil, as well as from the late Pliocene in Entre Ríos Province, Argentina. Being a marsupial and at the same time an aquatic animal, the water opossum has evolved a way to protect its young while swimming. A Water Opossum's ears are round, and on top of the eyes are bristles. The opossum is only limited in its range due to cold or lack of water and are very adaptable animals. The face and ears are blackish brown, except for the silvery white cheek and spot above each eye. Opossum - Water Opossum Facts & Trivia for kids The Water Opossum is also called a yapok. Opossum Facts. [3] Opossums have a diverse palate when it comes to food; they'll eat everything from insects to snakes to … They build their nests along the banks of freshwater rivers and lakes, and they typically live in or near tropical and sub-tropical forests. They prefer warm climates, which you can tell from their distribution (Mexico to Argentina is a generally warm portion of the world). This creature is found in the freshwater streams and lakes in Mexico, Central and South America to Argentina. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the yapok (/ˈjæpɒk/), is a marsupial of the family Didelphidae. They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. As the name 'water opossum' implies, they prefer to live in wet areas. Opossum facts might surprise you. Eating up to 5,000 ticks a year in your backyard, you may want to attract them to your garden. General Facts » Omissions? The Yapok also known as the Water Opossum is an interesting Marsupial that is known for being unlike any other animal on the planet. The Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus) or Yapok can be found in many parts of the globe, just to mention some: South Mexico, Colombia, Guianas, Venezuale, parts of Brazil and Peru. There are over 100 species of opossum, but only one species lives north of Mexico, the Virginia opossum. Curator, New World Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wildlife Biologist, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Laurel,... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are more than 60 species of opossum. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The colour of the back is silvery gray overlaid by dark brown to black markings on the shoulders, back, hips, and rump, interconnected by a narrow black stripe running from the back of the head to the tail. Here are some amazing facts about this creature that might change you from an opossum hater to an opossum fan. 1. https://www.britannica.com/animal/water-opossum. [3] This semiaquatic creature is found in and near freshwater streams and lakes from Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina and is the most aquatic living marsupial (the lutrine opossum also has semiaquatic habits). Yapok is another name for the water opossum. Water Opossums are carnivorous, easting fish and other small aquatic animals. The water opossum, found on the fringes of the South American rainforest and wetlands, is the most aquatic marsupial in the world. The opossum has webbed hind feet that help propel it in the water and also long tail that directs its movements in the water. Killed by many predators: humans (and cars), dogs, cats, owls, and larger wildlife. The water opossum-the yapok also eats freshwater fish like the crawfish or mollusks. TAXONOMY. Believe it or not, this opossum is very well adapted to the water. Yapoks build their nests underground. Water Opossum. They are also commonly found close to a water source, such as a stream or lake. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Likewise eating cooked Virginia opossum meat is believed to prevent heart attacks, using an ointment composed of opossum fat is believed to treat epilepsy and infusing opossum bones in water is believe to treat allergies, dermatitis and coughing. Normal litters range from seven to 21 offspring, but as many as 50 dime-sized babies may be born in a single litter. Water Opossums measure 27 – 40 centimetres (10.5 – 16 inches) in length and weigh between 600 – 800 grams (1.25 – 1.75 pounds). Water Opossum facts and knowledge. Water Opossums measure 27 – 40 centimetres (10.5 – 16 inches) in length and weigh between 600 – 800 grams (1.25 – 1.75 pounds). However, they are known to hunker down in their dens to wait out bad weather. The tail is a little longer than the head and body, densely furred at the base and scaly, nearly naked, and dark brown or black for most of its length except at the tip, which is yellowish white. Water opossum, (Chironectes minimus), also called yapok or yapock, a semiaquatic, web-footed marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found along tropical rivers, streams, and lakes from Mexico to Argentina. Water Opossums live in southern Mexico and South America. Usually, the crown and the muzzle are predominantly black, with a pale band at the forehead. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The Yapok also known as the Water Opossum is an interesting Marsupial that is known for being unlike any other animal on the planet. It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. At home in trees; uses its prehensile tail to help stabilize position when climbing— it does not, however, hang by its tail. Than 103 that are rarely dangerous and grab prey as the lapok, the most common and recognizable in world! Lives around freshwater lakes, rivers and water opossum facts, and so forth prey! Known to hunker down in their dens to wait out bad weather known opossum at kg... 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