Didelphis albiventris
White-eared opossum
Description
The body is covered with black fur. Ears and face are covered with white fur with the
exception of black rings around the eyes (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992).
Measurements- HB=305-437, T=290-430, HF=45-60, Wt.= 500-2,000 g. (Emmons,
1990).
Distribution
D. albiventris is found in and east of the Andes Mountains, Western Venezuela, and
Columbia, south to Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Northern Argentina,
and Southeast Brazil (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992; Emmons, 1990).
Ontogeny and reproduction
Mothers average 9 young at birth, range is 4 to 12. Studies in Brazil show that mature
males are always fertile, but female fertility is associated with the onset of the rainy
season. There is little effort in gestation, but a lot of effort in lactation. Offspring develop
in pouch for 46 days, and are not completely weaned until around 100 days. Young are
usually born between September and May (Talamoni and Dias, 1999; Redford and
Eisenberg, 1992).
Ecology and behavior
D. albiventris is a nocturnal species. The genus Didelphis are solitary animals except
during the mating season. They have been shown to be aggressive towards each other any
other time of the year. D. albiventris is a terrestrial animal, but can climb well. They are
found everywhere except in very high areas and very arid areas (Nowak, 1999; Redford
and Eisenberg, 1992). D. albiventris is omnivorous. Their diet consists of a large number
of worms, ants, small birds, eggshells, vegetation, and fruit (Redford and Eisenberg,
1992).
Remark
D. albiventris is called Sarve in Brazil, and Coma dreja mora or Coma dreja overa in
Columbia. The former name of D. albiventris was Didelphis azarae (Emmons, 1990).
References
Emmons, L.E. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide. 1990. University of
Chicago Press. 16.
Nowak, R. Walker’s Mammals of the World, 6th Edition, Volume II.1999. John Hopkins
University Press
Redford, K.H. and J.F. Eisenberg. Mammals of the Neotropics.Vol II. 1992. University
of Chicago Press. 19 and 20.
Talamoni,S., M. Dias.1999. Population and community ecology of small mammals in
southeastern Brazil. Mammalia, 63(2): 167-181.
Reference written by Ryan Bieganski, Biology 378 (Mammalogy). University of
Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Edited by Christopher Yahnke. Page last updated 08-03-05.