Northern Red-sided Opossum
Encyclopedia
The northern red-sided opossum, Monodelphis brevicaudata, is an opossum species
from South America
. It is found in Bolivia
, Brazil
. French Guyana, Guyana
, Surinam and Venezuela
.
Litters of up to 14 young are born any time during the year. They have no pouch so the young cling to the mother's fur and nipples and ride on her back when older .
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It is found in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. French Guyana, Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
, Surinam and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
Behavior
They live in forested areas, but are poor climbers and stay on the forest floor. They are nocturnal and during the day they build nests in hollow logs or tree trunks. Their diet consists of seeds, shoots and fruits, insects, carrion and some small rodents. Rodents are killed with a powerful bite in the back of the head.Litters of up to 14 young are born any time during the year. They have no pouch so the young cling to the mother's fur and nipples and ride on her back when older .