The gray four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum)
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.
Habitat
The Philander possum is distributed in Central America, as far north as the southern states of Mexico, and in South America east of the Andes, as far south as Paraguay and northern Argentina. It inhabits various forests, prefers moist habitats and is common near forest streams and swamps. The Philander opossum likes a moderately wet climate, so it makes its home on the banks of rivers and lakes, in places with more than 1000 mm of rainfall per year.
Appearance
The four-eyed bug is called "four-eyed" because of the well-defined spots above the eyes. It reaches a body length of 25-35 cm and weighs between 240-400 g. The tail of the Philander possum is slightly longer than the body, slender and grasping. The tail is densely pubescent 5-8 cm from the base, then practically naked; 2/3 of its length is dark grey, then whitish. The fur of the opossum is thick and luxuriant, but short. Upper part of the body brownish-grey, lower part yellowish, upper part of the head almost black. Above the eyes are clear, rounded spots, which gave the animal its name. Ears short, rounded, usually dark.
Life style
The Philander possum lives almost exclusively in trees and only comes down to the ground when it wants to hunt below. Its tail, completely naked and tenacious, facilitates its climbing; in whatever position it is seen, it always clings to it, and when going to rest, it first wraps its long rat tail twice around the nearest branch, and thus saves itself from falling. The Philander grey opossum also swims very well, but its long hind legs are better suited to hopping and hopping on the soft forest floor. It usually perches on tree branches; its longer-term shelters are globular nests, up to 30 cm in diameter, which it builds in the forks of branches at a height of 8-10 m, among bushes or on the ground under dead wood. The Philander possum occasionally digs burrows. This beast is solitary and mainly nocturnal. It rarely strays far from its nest, and half of its movements occur within a radius of 30 metres.
Nutrition
The Philander possum feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates (insects, worms, crustaceans) and small vertebrates (including small rodents, frogs and lizards) and bird eggs. It will probably also occasionally eat carrion. If animal food is insufficient, opossums become vegetarian and happily eat leaves, seeds and fruits.
Reproduction
Philander possum breeding in different parts of its range may be annual or seasonal. Females usually have two clutches of 2-7 young per year. The number of young depends on the size of the female: if she weighs more than 445 grams, her family usually numbers 5-7 young, and if she is smaller, three or four small possums are born. The young become independent at 2.5 months of age and reach sexual maturity at 15 months.
