Southern Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) lives in tropical rainforest across Central and South America. It feeds on insects & fruit. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Southern Opossum
- From sea level up to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), the common opossum thrives in primary and secondary forests, fields, and even city streets. Their ability to nest in tree hollows, burrows, or any dark crevice lets them exploit almost any shelter, from mountain cloud forests to urban garbage dumps.
- A female can give birth to up to 24 tiny newborns, each barely 1 cm long and weighing 0.13 g, but only about a third survive the harsh early weeks. Litters of five to nine pups are typical, and females may breed one to three times a year after reaching sexual maturity at six to seven months.
- In the wild, common opossums rarely live past two years, with the longest recorded individual reaching just 20 months. Captive individuals may stretch to about 4.2 years, but high mortality before maturity keeps wild populations youthful. Their brief lifespan, combined with rapid reproduction, means each generation turns over quickly, and a frequent victim of road mortality.
- Nearly 20 inches long, the common opossum rivals a house cat in size, yet its tail can stretch almost two feet, making it one of the larger Didelphidae. Adult opossums can weigh more than three pounds.
- Males roam a territory the size of 123 hectares, while females stay within roughly 16 hectares. Females, however, keep a tighter home base.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeCentral and South America
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietInsects & fruit
About the Southern Opossum
In the twilight realms of the Americas, the Southern Opossum emerges as a phantom-like creature, its prehensile tail grasping for balance as it navigates the intricate latticework of tree branches with an air of ghostly nonchalance. With eyes aglow like lanterns in the dark, this marsupial wanderer roams the shadows, its pointed snout twitching as it uncovers hidden treasures of insect and fruit. As it pads silently through the underbrush, its very presence seems a testament to the enduring power of adaptation, a reminder that even in the most unexpected of creatures, beauty and resilience can thrive.
Hear the Southern Opossum, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
