Didelphis

Didelphis is a genus of New World marsupials in the family Didelphidae, order Didelphimorphia. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as opossums and are among the most widespread and adaptable marsupials in the Americas. The genus includes several species that occupy a range of habitats from tropical forests to suburban areas.

Geographic range and habitat

Didelphis species are native to the Americas, with most occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the best known species in North America, ranging from the eastern United States into portions of Canada and central Mexico. Other Didelphis species are primarily found in South America, often in forested and savanna environments, though many tolerate disturbed or urban landscapes.

Physical characteristics and ecology

Opossums in the Didelphis genus are medium-sized marsupials with fur typically gray to brown and sometimes pale facial markings. They generally have a semi-prehensile tail and dexterous fore and hind feet that aid in climbing and grasping. They are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, consuming fruit, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. Most species are nocturnal and solitary, with activity patterns influenced by food availability and habitat.

Reproduction and behavior

Didelphis species give birth to relatively undeveloped young that continue development in the maternal pouch or cling to the teat after birth. Reproductive timing and litter size vary by species and locality. A notable behavior in some species, particularly the Virginia opossum, is thanatosis, or playing dead, when threatened.

Taxonomy

The genus includes multiple species, with Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum) in North America and several South American forms such as D. marsupialis and D. albiventris. Taxonomic status can vary by region, and some classifications recognize additional or different species and subspecies.