Didelphidae - opossums

There are about 95 species of opossums in this family. Opossums are marsupials. Marsupials have pouches. When female marsupials give birth, their young are blind, hairless, and helpless. They attach themselves to a teat in their mothers pouch and suckle until they are large enough to emerge from her pouch.

Marsupials are found in Australia and North and South America. North American marsupials are members of the Didelphimorphia order. Opossums are the only type of marsupial found in North, Central, and South America. Species include the western woolly opossum, the Patagonian opossum, the brown four-eyed opossum, and the bushy-tailed opossum.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana		Linnaeus's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa murina Robinson's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa robinsoni Gray-bellied Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops fuscatus Slaty Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops invictus Brown Four-eyed Opossum- Metachirus nudicaudatus Alston's Woolly Mouse Opossum- Micoureus alstoni Sepia Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis adusta Gray Four-eyed Opossum- Philander opossum Grayish Mouse Opossum- Tlacuatzin canescens
North/Central American Species
Central American Woolly Opossum- Caluromys derbianus Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum- Caluromys philander Water Opossum- Chironectes minimus Soutthern Opossum- Didelphis marsupialis Mexican Mouse Opossum- Marmosa mexicana

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
Central American Woolly Opossum-Caluromys derbianus Brown-eared Wooly Opossum- Caluromys lanatus Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum- Caluromys philander Black-shouldered Opossum- Caluromysiops irrupta Chacodelphys formosa Water Opossum- Chironectes minimus Agricola's Gracile Opossum- Cryptonanus agricolai Cryptonanus chacoensis Cryptonanus guahybae Red-bellied Gracile Mouse Opossum- Cryptonanus ignitus Cryptonanus unduaviensis White-eared Opossum- Didelphis albiventris Big-eared Opossum- Didelphis aurita Guianan White-eared Opossum- Didelphis imperfecta Southern Opossum- Didelphis marsupialis Didelphis pernigra Virginia Opossum- Didelphis virginiana Bushy-tailed Opossum- Glironia venusta Aceramarca Gracile Mouse Opossum-Gracilinanus aceramarcae Agile Gracile Mouse Opossum- Gracilinanus agilis Wood Sprite Gracile Mouse Opossum- Gracilinanus dryas Emilia's Gracile Mouse Opossum- Gracilinanus emiliae Northern Gracile Mouse Opossum- Gracilinanus marica Brazilian Gracile Mouse Opossum- Gracilinanus microtarsus Kalinowski's Mouse Opossumn- Hyladelphys kalinowskii Patagonian Opossum- Lestodelphys halli Lutrine Opossum- Lutreolina crassicaudata Anderson's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa andersoni Little Rufous Mouse Opossum- Marmosa lepida Mexican Mouse Opossum- Marmosa mexicana Linnaeus's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa murina Quechuan Mouse Opossum- Marmosa quichua Robinson's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa robinsoni Red Mouse Opossum- Marmosa rubra Tyler's Mouse Opossum- Marmosa tyleriana Dryland Mouse Opossum- Marmosa xerophila Marmosops bishopi Slim-faced Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops cracens Marmosops creightoni Gray-bellied Slender Mouse Opossum-Marmosops fuscatus Handley's Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops handleyi Andean Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops impavidus Gray Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops incanus Slaty Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops invictus Marmosops juninensis Marmosops neblina White-bellied Slender Mouse Opossum-Marmosops noctivagus Marmosops ocellatus		Delicate Slender Mouse Opossum- Marmosops parvidens Brazilian Slender Opossum- Marmosops paulensis Pinheiro's Slender Opossum- Marmosops pinheiroi Brown Four-eyed Opossum- Metachirus nudicaudatus Alston's Woolly Mouse Opossum- Micoureus alstoni White-bellied Wooly Mouse Opossum-Micoureus constantiae Long-furred Woolly Mouse Opossum- Micoureus demerarae Tate's Woolly Mouse Opossum- Micoureus paraguayanus Micoureus phaeus Short-furred Woolly Mouse Opossum- Micoureus regina Sepia Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis adusta Three-striped Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis americana Red-legged Short-tailed Opossum-onodelphis brevicaudata Southern Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis dimidiata Gray Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis domestica Emilia's Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis emiliae Amazonian Red-sided Opossum- Monodelphis glirina Ihering's Three-striped Opossum- Monodelphis iheringi Pygmy Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis kunsi Marajó Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis maraxina Osgood's Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis osgoodi Hooded Red-sided Opossum- Monodelphis palliolata Reig's Opossum- Monodelphis reigi Ronald's Opossum- Monodelphis ronaldi Chestnut-striped Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis rubida Long-nosed Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis scalops Shrewish Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis sorex Southern Three-striped Opossum- Monodelphis theresa Faint-striped Opossum- Monodelphis umbristriata Single-striped Opossum- Monodelphis unistriata Anderson's Four-eyed Opossum- Philander andersoni Philander deltae Southeastern Four-eyed Opossum- Philander frenatus Mcilhenny's Four-eyed Opossum- Philander mcilhennyi Philander mondolfii Gray Four-eyed Opossum- Philander opossum Cinderella Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum-Thylamys cinderella Elegant Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys elegans Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys karimii Paraguayan Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum-Thylamys macrurus Pallid Fat-tailed Opossum- Thylamys pallidior Common Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys pusillus Thylamys sponsorius Thylamys tatei Dwarf Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys velutinus Buff-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys venustus Grayish Mouse Opossum- Tlacuatzin canescens

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Order Didelphimorphia
Learn more about the characteristics of these North, Central, and South American marsupials.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Aceramarca Gracile Mouse Opossum-Gracilinanus aceramarcae
The Aceramarca gracile mouse opossum is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Aceramarca Gracile Mouse Opossum -Gracilinanus aceramarcae
The Aceramarca gracile mouse opossum is a small opossum with no pouch. Learn more.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Agile Gracile Mouse Opossum - Gracilinanus agilis
These small opossums sometimes find their way into banana shipments!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Alston's Woolly Mouse Opossum - Micoureus alstoni
Alston's wooly mouse opossum is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Anderson's Mouse Opossum - Marmosa andersoni
Anderson's mouse opossum is a mouse-like marsupial with fine, velvety fur and black eye-rings
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Anderson's Mouse Opossum - Marmosa andersoni
Everything we know about Anderson's mouse opossum comes from seven individuals found by scientists!
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum- Caluromys philander
The bare-tailed wooly opossum is found in Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Big-eared Opossum - Didelphis aurita
The big-eared opossum is found along the Atlantic coast of Brazil to northeastern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. Learn more.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Black-shouldered Opossum- Caluromysiops irrupta
The black-shouldered opossum lives in trees in humid forest in the Andes in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brown Four-eyed Opossum - Metachirus nudicaudatus
The brown four-eyed opossum gets its name from a white spot over its eyes. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Bushy-tailed Opossum - Glironia venusta
The bushy-tailed opossum lives in the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.
Source: Edge Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle

Bushy-tailed Opossum- Glironia venusta
The bushy-tailed opossum has a black mask and a white stripe that runs from the top of its head to the tip of its nose.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bushy-tailed Opossum- Glironia venusta
The bushy-tailed opossum is the only opossum with a tail that is fully furred on the top and sides.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Central American Woolly Opossum-Caluromys derbianus
The Central American wooly opossum is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Central American Woolly Opossum -Caluromys derbianus
The Central American Woolly opossum lives in highland and lowland rainforests.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Elegant Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum- Thylamys elegans
The elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum- is found in Chile.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Four-eyed Opossum - Philander opossum
This opossum has brown fur and white patches over its eyes. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Grayish Mouse Opossum - Tlacuatzin canescens
This small opossum is found in Mexico. It has brown fur, rounded ears, and black rings around its eyes. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Gray Short-tailed Opossum - Monodelphis domestica
These tiny mouse-like marsupials are found in the forests of of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Gray Short-tailed Opossum - Monodelphis domestica
The female gray short-tailed opossum can have 4-5 litters a year and litters can have up 13 babies.
Source: Brandywine Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Gray Slender Mouse Opossum - Marmosops incanus
The gray slender mouse opossum has a black mask and a long, slender white-tipped tail. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Lutrine Opossum - Lutreolina crassicaudata
The Lutrine opossum has a long weasel-like body, short, rounded ears and a thick tail . Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Mexican Mouse Opossum - Marmosa mexicana
The female Mexican mouse opossum does not have a pouch; she carries her young on her back. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Patagonian Opossum- Lestodelphys halli
The Patagonian opossum is found in Argentina.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Patagonian Opossum - Lestodelphys halli
The Patagonian opossum lives further south than any other opossum species. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Pygmy Short-tailed Opossum - Monodelphis kunsi
Everything we know about this species is based on 15 specimens examined by scientists. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Red-legged Short-tailed Opossum - onodelphis brevicaudata
The red-legged short-tailed opossum lives in South America. It has reddish fur on its sides and legs and black feet. Learn more!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Shrewish Short-tailed Opossum- Monodelphis sorex
The shrewish short-tailed opossum is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Opossum - Didelphis marsupialis
The southern opossum is found from eastern Mexico to northeastern Argentina Learn more.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The Virginia opossum is a good swimmer and it can climb trees. Learn more.
Source: Utah's Hogle Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
When the Virginia opossum is threatened, it flops on it's side, sticks out its tongue and plays dead! Learn more and print out a fact sheet!
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial found in North America.
Source: Environmental Education for Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The Virginia opossum has a prehensile tail, but adults cannot hang by it from trees!
Source: Beardsley Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The Virginia opossum is the size of a small dog and has a long, scaly, prehensile tail.
Source: The Mammals of Texas Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The Virginia opossum marks its territory with scent marks. It licks itself and then rubs the side of its head against tree trunks or other objects.
Source: Brandywine Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
The life span of the Virginia opossum in the wild is only about 18 months. Learn more.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
Young Virginian opossums spend the first two months of their life in their mother's pouch.
Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Virginia Opossum - Didelphis virginiana
Learn more about the Virginia opossum and print out a labeled diagram.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Water Opossum- Chironectes minimus
The water opossum is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Water Opossum- Chironectes minimus
The water opossum is also known as the yapok. It has marbled gray and black fur and lives near streams and lakes.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Water Opossum - Chironectes minimus
The water opossum is adapted for life near the water. It has waterproof fur, webbed hind feet and a backward-pointing pouch. Learn more.
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-eared Opossum - Didelphis albiventris
The white-eared opossum is found throughout South America. It has very large ears, a long tail, and black fur.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School