water opossum facts

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 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 are nocturnal and semi-aquatic and use tactile, auditory and olfactory senses for foraging and reproduction. General Facts » Water Opossum facts and knowledge. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. There are sensory facial bristles in tufts above each eye, as well as whiskers. Opossums Are Smart Critters . Their hind feet are webbed and both male and female have pouches. Also known as the "yapok", it is the only marsupial that likes to swim. Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 7 Interesting Facts About Virginia Opossums >> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). 1. The water opossum is the most aquatic marsupial. The natural habitat of these animals range from subtropical up to tropical territories, and also near freshwater streams. Babies immediately crawl into the mother's pouch, where they continue to develop. Normal litters range from seven to 21 offspring, but as many as 50 dime-sized babies may be born in a single litter. The pregnant mother may also stay submerged in water while the young newborns are safe inside of the marsupial's pouch. in our animals facts archive. [2] It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. 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 the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. The extinct Thylophorops, the largest known opossum at 4–7 kg, was a macropredator. 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. Discovery First off, it helps to know how the opossum was d iscovered. They Gravitate Toward Water . Opossums Are Smart Critters . Also known as the lapok, the water opossum (Chironectes minimus) lives as a semi-aquatic marsupial. Of the 100+ opossum species in the world, the most common and recognizable in the United States is the Virginia opossum. Latra minima (Zimmerman, 1780), Cayenne, French Guiana. >> When opossums are attacked, they will “play possum,” pretending that they are dead; they remain still, they […] The pouch of the Water Opossum can close tight for when it goes underwater. Opossum facts might surprise you. The broad hindfeet are webbed and are used for propulsion through water, moving with alternate strokes. Water opossums are solitary animals, with little conspecific interaction. Fast Facts Description The Virginia opossum is gray or black with white-tipped guard hairs and a long, pointed snout. TAXONOMY. It is most common in northern South America, with documented occurrences in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela (rare), Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Find out why at Wild Facts. Adaptable; able to live wherever water, food, and shelter exist. Opossums Kill Ticks by the Thousands Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if you’ve ever found one pawing through your garbage bins. The opossum is a marsupial that can be found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America.Opossums are very adaptable animals, since they can be found in different habitats and can eat different kinds of food. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. A light band runs across the forehead anterior to the ears, which are rounded and naked. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). At home in trees; uses its prehensile tail to help stabilize position when climbing— it does not, however, hang by its tail. Length 10.6–15.7 in (27–40 cm); weight 21.2–28 oz (600–790g). There are 23 possum species in Australia. The thylacine, commonly referred to as … 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 fur is short and dense with a few intermixed longer hairs. Opossum Facts. Virginia opossum, the only marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found north of Mexico. Chironectes minimus (water opossum or yapok) is native to tropical and subtropical habitats from southern Mexico to Central and South America. It lives around freshwater lakes, rivers and streams. Fun possum facts. … For example, they have webbed feet, waterproof fur and that useful little carrying pouch will actually become watertight while submerged. While opossums may seem like vermin, they actually make great neighbors. 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. Believe it or not, this opossum is very well adapted to the water. They have become quite adept at surviving in urban areas. Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. At 48 days of age, the young opossums detach from the nipples, but they still nurse and sleep with the mother. 4 Facts About The Water Opossum. Don’t confuse an American opossum with an Australian possum – they’re quite different! Opossums have a very short lifespan, usually three years or less in the wild, where they have to contend with predators and cars. Opossum Facts. Yapoks build their nests underground. From opposable toes to an ability to feign death in an instant, discover the most fascinating facts about the opossum. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. They prefer warm climates, which you can tell from their distribution (Mexico to Argentina is a generally warm portion of the world). One of the shortest lived mammals for its size, typically 2 to 4 years. The opossum is only limited in its range due to cold or lack of water and are very adaptable animals. 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. Are opossums dangerous? It is the only marsupial that depends almost entirely on aquatic prey, such as fish, molluscs, and frogs. A Water Opossum's ears are round, and on top of the eyes are bristles. It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. [8] Check out our water opossum selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Yapoks can be found throughout Central and South America, from Mexico all the way down to Argentina. Fun possum facts. Of the 100+ opossum species in the world, the most common and recognizable in the United States is the Virginia opossum. Here are some amazing facts about this creature that might change you from an opossum hater to an opossum fan. A female opossum gives birth to helpless young as tiny as honeybees. While opossums prefer deciduous woodlands with nearby sources of water – like streams or swamps – they are extremely adaptable and succeed in a variety of habitats and climates. It has a head and body length of 30 cm (12 inches) and a 38-cm (15-inch) naked tail. The water opossum-the yapok also eats freshwater fish like the crawfish or mollusks. Water opossums eat fish, crabs, frogs, freshwater shrimp, and other small animals found in and along watercourses. The pouch of the Water Opossum can close tight for when it goes underwater. The species that many people think of when hearing about this animal is the common opossum, also known as Virginia opossum. The water opossum has several adaptations for its watery lifestyle. The largest species of possum is the cuscus. 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). Killed by many predators: humans (and cars), dogs, cats, owls, and larger wildlife. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The opossum has a relatively short life span of around 2 years (or 4 years in captivity). If left unharmed, a catatonic opossum will recover in roughly one to four hours. Fernandez, Fernando Antonio dos Santos, et al. The water opossum-the yapok also eats freshwater fish like the crawfish or mollusks. Water Opossums is the only aquatic marsupial. Opossum - Water Opossum Facts & Trivia for kids The Water Opossum is also called a yapok. It is suggested that the local name for the Water opossum, "yapok", comes from the name of the Oyapok River in French Guiana. Fun Facts for Kids. Latra minima (Zimmerman, 1780), Cayenne, French Guiana. >> When opossums are attacked, they will “play possum,” pretending that they are dead; they remain still, they […] 4 Facts About The Water Opossum. It is not impossible to find Water Opossums at high-altitude areas. They dig steep tunnels that end in a n… By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 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.. The water opossum, or yapok (Chironectes minimus), a carnivorous opossum found from Mexico to Argentina, is the only marsupial adapted to a semiaquatic life: it has webbed hind toes, dense oily fur, and a pouch opening that can be tightened to keep the young dry. They are also commonly found close to a water source, such as a stream or lake. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. The water opossum, found on the fringes of the South American rainforest and wetlands, is the most aquatic marsupial in the world. It is not known when the breeding season is, but females have been found with two to five young in the pouch in July, December, January, February, and March. The tail slightly prehensile (grasping) and mostly hairless. The water opossum, found on the fringes of the South American rainforest and wetlands, is the most aquatic marsupial in the world. The opossum is a successful scavenger, thanks to its adaptability and excellent immune system. The most common species are the common brushtail possum and the common ringtail possum. While opossums may seem like vermin, they actually make great neighbors. They have scaly feet, and a scaly prehensile tail. The face and ears are blackish brown, except for the silvery white cheek and spot above each eye. The opossum is a successful scavenger, thanks to its adaptability and excellent immune system. The water opossum's tail, furred and black at the base, is yellow or white at its end. Opossums originated in South America and are believed to have entered North America during the Great American Interchange, which is when the continents connected and is believed to have occurred approximately 2.7 million years ago. The Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus) or ‘Yapok’ is found in the tropical forests of South America. [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). Because it lives near rivers, stream and lakes the mammal’s diet is primarily made up for aquatic plants and … Opossums are incredibly diverse mammals that thrive in a wide range of habitats. [5] This is thought to prevent them from becoming tangled in aquatic vegetation and is probably helpful in streamlining the animal as well. Being a marsupial and at the same time an aquatic animal, the water opossum has evolved a way to protect its young while swimming. 1. Updates? Possums are also native to Papua New Guinea and Sulawesi, and are also found as an introduced species in New Zealand and China. An opossum faces dire conditions during colder months. A prehensile tail can be wrapped around branches to … Virginia opossums’ pelts may also be sold commercially. TAXONOMY. This amazing species is North America’s only marsupial (pouched mammal). Adults average 70 cm (28 inches) in total length and weigh up to 790 grams (1.7 pounds). Is the only marsupial that is known for being unlike any other animal on the planet and with. Its body length of 30 cm ( 28 inches ) weight 2.7 to 5.9 (! Made even more pressing because opossums do n't hibernate in winter that are further classified into 19 genera scorpions... Size, typically 2 to 4 years any other animal on the ground and not able to wherever! 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Propulsion through water, moving with alternate strokes 100 species of opossum, lives in the water opossum &! The United States is the only marsupial ( family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae ) found North of Mexico the...

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