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, but generally below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Its habitats include primary, secondary and disturbed forest. It is one of many opossum species in the order Didelphimorphia and the family Didelphidae.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
Altricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withGray four-eyed opossums have gray coat and the white spots located above each eye, which makes them appear to have four eyes. These white spots give these opossums their common name. The prehensile tail is bicolored, with a pale distal part and a longer proximal darker gray part, and is naked at the end. The dorsal fur is gray, throat and cheeks are cream-colored. Adults have black ears along the edges. Females are slightly smaller and have seven mammae within their pouch.
Gray four-eyed opossums are found in Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia and southwestern Brazil. Their habitats include primary, secondary and disturbed forest.
Gray four-eyed opossums are solitary, nocturnal animals but can be active during the day. Although they are terrestrial, they are very good at climbing and swimming. These opossums build nests out of dry leaves in hollow trees, tree forks, fallen logs and in ground burrows. They roll up into a ball while sleeping and although their eyes are actually closed, the white patches of fur above their eyes gives them the appearance of an awake animal. Gray four-eyed opossums do not "play dead" like other opossum species. Instead they are aggressive and fight with potential predators. Some displays of aggression include opening the mouth wide and hissing loudly. Gray four-eyed opossums are known to be "the fiercest fighter of the opossums". They are not vocal animals, however, they communicate with a series of clicks, chirps and hisses.
Gray four-eyed opossums are omnivorous. They feed on small animals and vegetation, such as leaves, seeds, and fruits.
Gray four-eyed opossums are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Breeding is typically during the rainy season, although they can breed year-round. More young born during the wet season when there is an abundance of fruit. Females produce 2-4 litters per year, however, many pouch young don't survive, especially during the dry months. An average litter size is 4-5 young. The average gestation period is 13-14 days. Young nurse in their mother's pouch until they are 68-75 days old. Once weaned, they stay in their mother's nest for a further 8-15 days before their mother becomes aggressive and expels them. Females become sexually mature at about 6-7 months. Males become sexually mature at around 7 months of age.
There are no major threats to Gray four-eyed opossums.
The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the Gray four-eyed opossum total population size. This animal is common and widespread throughout its known range. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable.
Due to their diet, Gray four-eyed opossums help control insect and small vertebrate populations. They are also important dispersers for seeds as they often deposit the seeds in high quality sites.
