Chironectes minimus

(Zimmermann, 1780)

Vernacular names
English : Water opossum, Yapok
French : Opossum aquatique, Yapok

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Diprotodontia
Family : Didelphidae
Notes : 4 subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 40 cm, tail length of 43 cm, weight of 790 g. Long snout, naked pink ears, naked dark tail with pink tip. Dorsal coloration is clear gray with black saddles, head black with white frontal band. White belly and chin.

Range and habitat
From southern Mexico to Panama, then from Colombia to Bolivia, east to North Brazil. Isolated population in east Brazil and north-east Argentina. Lives in forests near fast or medium-fast flowing rivers, up to 1860 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a large range but some populations are in alarming decline because of forest clearance and water pollution by mining activities.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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