Didelphimorphia is an order of marsupial mammals. Members of this order are called didelphimorphs, or opossums. They are primarily found in South America, though some are found in Central America and Mexico and one, the Virginia opossum, ranges into the United States and Canada. They have a variety of sizes, shapes, and fur patterns, and range in size from the 6 cm (2 in) (plus 9 cm (4 in) tail) Kalinowski's mouse opossum to the 55 cm (22 in) (plus 54 cm (21 in) tail) Virginia opossum. Didelphimorphs are primarily found in forests, as well as savannas, shrublands, and grasslands. Almost no population estimates have been made for didelphimorph species, though the one-striped opossum is classified as Critically Endangered with a population of less than ten, Handley's slender opossum is also critically endangered, and the red-bellied gracile opossum is extinct, having last been seen in 1962.

The 93 extant species of Didelphimorphia are grouped into a single family, Didelphidae, which is divided into four subfamilies: Caluromyinae, containing four species in two genera; Glironiinae, containing a single species; Hyladelphinae, also with a single species; and Didelphinae, containing 87 species split between 14 genera. Over one hundred extinct Didelphimorph species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.^[1]

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the didelphimorph's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".

The order Didelphimorphia consists of one family, Didelphidae, which is divided into the subfamilies Caluromyinae, Glironiinae, Hyladelphinae, and Didelphinae. Caluromyinae contains 4 species in 2 genera, Glironiinae and Hyladelphinae each contain a single species, and Didelphinae contains 87 species in 14 genera, as well as the extinct red-bellied gracile opossum, which was last seen in 1962. Many of these species are further subdivided into subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.^[2][3]

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.^[4][5]

Genus Caluromys – Allen, 1900 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Bare-tailed woolly opossum	C. philander (Linnaeus, 1758) Four subspecies C. p. affinis C. p. dichurus C. p. philander C. p. trinitatis	Eastern and northeastern South America	Size: 16–28 cm (6–11 in) long, plus 25–41 cm (10–16 in) tail[6] Habitat: Forest[7] Diet: Fruit, as well as gum, nectar, small vertebrates, and invertebrates[7]	LC  Unknown [7]
Brown-eared woolly opossum	C. lanatus (Olfers, 1818) Four subspecies C. l. cicur C. l. lanatus C. l. ochropus C. l. ornatus	Central and northwestern South America	Size: 20–32 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 33–44 cm (13–17 in) tail[8] Habitat: Forest[9] Diet: Fruit, invertebrates, and some small vertebrates, as well as nectar and flowers[9]	LC  Unknown [9]
Derby's woolly opossum	C. derbianus (Waterhouse, 1841) Six subspecies C. d. aztecus C. d. centralis C. d. derbianus C. d. fervidus C. d. nauticus C. d. pallidus	Central American and northwestern South America	Size: 22–30 cm (9–12 in) long, plus 38–45 cm (15–18 in) tail[10] Habitat: Forest[11] Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, soft vegetables, insects, and other small invertebrates[11]	LC  Unknown [11]

Genus Caluromysiops – Sanborn, 1951 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Black-shouldered opossum	C. irrupta Sanborn, 1951	West-central South America	Size: 25–33 cm (10–13 in) long, plus 31–34 cm (12–13 in) tail[12] Habitat: Forest[13] Diet: Flowers and fruit, as well as small rodents[13]	LC  Unknown [13]

Genus Chacodelphys – Voss et al., 2004 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Chacoan pygmy opossum	C. formosa (Shamel, 1930)	Northeastern Argentina	Size: About 7 cm (3 in) long, plus 6 cm (2 in) tail[14] Habitat: Shrubland[15] Diet: Unknown[14]	NT  Unknown [15]

Genus Chironectes – Illiger, 1811 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Water opossum	C. minimus (Zimmermann, 1780) Four subspecies C. m. argyrodytes C. m. langsdorffi C. m. minimus C. m. panamensis	Central America, northern South America, southeastern South America	Size: 27–40 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 30–43 cm (12–17 in) tail[16] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[17] Diet: Fish, crabs, other crustaceans, and insects, as well as frogs[17]	LC  Unknown [17]

Genus Cryptonanus – Voss et al., 2005 – five species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Agricola's gracile opossum	C. agricolai (Moojen, 1943)	Eastern Brazil	Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–11 cm (4 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[19] Diet: Unknown	DD  Unknown [19]
Chacoan gracile opossum	C. chacoensis (Tate, 1931)	Southern South America	Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest and grassland[20] Diet: Unknown fruit and insects[21]	LC  Unknown [20]
Guahiba gracile opossum	C. guahybae (Tate, 1931)	Southern Brazil	Size: About 9 cm (4 in) long, plus 11 cm (4 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest and grassland[22] Diet: Unknown	DD  Unknown [22]
Red-bellied gracile opossum†	C. ignitus Díaz, Flores, Barquez, 2002	Northwestern Argentina	Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12 cm (5 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest[23] Diet: Unknown	EX  Unknown [23]
Unduavi gracile opossum	C. unduaviensis (Shamel, 1930)	Northern Bolivia	Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[24] Diet: Unknown	DD  Unknown [24]

Genus Didelphis – Linnaeus, 1758 – six species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Andean white-eared opossum	D. pernigra J. A. Allen, 1900	Northwestern South America	Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[26] Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants[25]	LC  Unknown [26]
Big-eared opossum	D. aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826)	Eastern South America	Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[27] Diet: Arthropods and fruit, as well as other invertebrates and small vertebrates[28]	LC  Unknown [27]
Common opossum	D. marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 Two subspecies D. m. caucae D. m. marsupialis	Central American and northern South America	Size: 26–43 cm (10–17 in) long, plus 40 cm (16 in) tail[29] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[30] Diet: Omnivorous; eats invertebrates, vertebrates, leaves, fruit, nectar, and carrion[29]	LC  Unknown [30]
Guianan white-eared opossum	D. imperfecta Mondolfi, Hernández, 1984	Northern South America	Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25] Habitat: Forest[31] Diet: Omnivorous; primarily fruit and insects[31]	LC  Unknown [31]
Virginia opossum	D. virginiana Kerr, 1792 Four subspecies D. v. californica D. v. pigra D. v. virginiana D. v. yucatanensis	North America and Central America	Size: 33–55 cm (13–22 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[32] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[33] Diet: Omnivorous, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plant material, fruits, grains and carrion[32]	LC  Unknown [33]
White-eared opossum	D. albiventris Lund, 1840	Eastern and southern South America	Size: 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, plus 25–54 cm (10–21 in) tail[25] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[34] Diet: Small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plants[25]	LC  Unknown [34]

Genus Gracilinanus – Gardner, Creighton, 1989 – six species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Aceramarca gracile opossum	G. aceramarcae (Tate, 1931)	Western South America	Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[35] Habitat: Forest[36] Diet: Fruit, insects and other small invertebrates[36]	LC  Unknown [36]
Agile gracile opossum	G. agilis (Burmeister, 1854)	Central South America	Size: 8–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 10–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[37] Habitat: Forest[38] Diet: Insects and fruit[39]	LC  Unknown [38]
Brazilian gracile opossum	G. microtarsus (Wagner, 1842) Two subspecies G. m. guahybae G. m. microtarsus	Southeastern South America	Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail[40] Habitat: Forest[41] Diet: Insects, other invertebrates, and fruit[40]	LC  Unknown [41]
Emilia's gracile opossum	G. emiliae (Thomas, 1909)	Scattered northern South America	Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[42] Habitat: Forest[43] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[42]	DD  Unknown [43]
Northern gracile opossum	G. marica (Thomas, 1898)	Northern South America	Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 13 cm (5 in) tail[44] Habitat: Forest and grassland[45] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[44]	LC  Unknown [45]
Wood sprite gracile opossum	G. dryas (Thomas, 1898)	Northern South America	Size: About 11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14 cm (6 in) tail[46] Habitat: Forest[47] Diet: Believed to be insects and fruit[46]	LC  Unknown [47]

Genus Lestodelphys – Tate, 1934 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Patagonian opossum	L. halli (Thomas, 1921)	Southern South America	Size: 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 8–10 cm (3–4 in) tail[48] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and desert[49] Diet: Invertebrates, as well as birds, reptiles, and fruit[48]	LC  Unknown [49]

Genus Lutreolina – Thomas, 1910 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Big lutrine opossum	L. crassicaudata (Desmarest, 1804) Two subspecies L. c. crassicaudata L. c. turneri	Scattered South America (Massoia's lutrine opossum in red)	Size: 26–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 24–30 cm (9–12 in) tail[50] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[51] Diet: Omnivorous; crabs, beetles, amphibians, birds, seeds, and vegetation, as well as other invertebrates, fish, and small mammals[50]	LC  Unknown [51]
Massoia's lutrine opossum	L. massoia Martínez-Lanfranco, Flores, Jayat, D'Elía, 2014	South-central South America (big lutrine opossum in green)	Size: 18–24 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 20–26 cm (8–10 in) tail[52] Habitat: Forest and grassland[53] Diet: Small mammals, fish, and invertebrates, as well as bird eggs and fruit[52]	LC  Unknown [53]

Genus Marmosa – Gray, 1821 – seventeen species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Alston's mouse opossum	M. alstoni (Allen, 1900)	Central America, northwestern tip of South America	Size: 18–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 24–28 cm (9–11 in) tail[54] Habitat: Forest[55] Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, and fruit[55]	LC  Unknown [55]
Bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum	M. regina Thomas, 1924	Western South America	Size: 15–21 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 21–30 cm (8–12 in) tail[56] Habitat: Forest[56] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]	NE  Unknown
Guajira mouse opossum	M. xerophila Handley, Gordon, 1979	Northern South America	Size: 8–16 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[58] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[59] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as lizards, bird eggs, and small rodents[59]	VU  Unknown [59]
Heavy-browed mouse opossum	M. andersoni Pine, 1972	Peru	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[60] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit[61]	DD  Unknown [60]
Linnaeus's mouse opossum	M. murina (Linnaeus, 1758)	Northern and eastern South America	Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 13–21 cm (5–8 in) tail[62] Habitat: Forest[63] Diet: Insects, small animals, and fruit[63]	LC  Unknown [63]
Little woolly mouse opossum	M. phaea Thomas, 1899	Northwestern South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[64] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]	VU  Unknown [64]
Mexican mouse opossum	M. mexicana Merriam, 1897 Three subspecies M. m. mayensis M. m. mexicana M. m. savannarum	Mexico and Central America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 13–23 cm (5–9 in) tail[58] Habitat: Forest and grassland[65] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as small rodents, lizards, birds, and eggs[65]	LC  Unknown [65]
Quechuan mouse opossum	M. quichua Wagner, 1842	Western South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[66] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]	LC  Unknown [66]
Red mouse opossum	M. rubra Tate, 1931	Western South America	Size: 12–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 18–22 cm (7–9 in) tail[58] Habitat: Forest[67] Diet: Insects and fruit[68]	DD  Unknown [67]
Robinson's mouse opossum	M. robinsoni Bangs, 1898 Six subspecies M. r. chapmani M. r. fulviventer M. r. grenadae M. r. luridavolta M. r. robinsoni M. r. ruatanica	Northern South America and Central America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[58] Habitat: Forest and savanna[69] Diet: Fruit and insects[69]	LC  Unknown [69]
Rufous mouse opossum	M. lepida (Thomas, 1888)	Northwestern South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[70] Diet: Insects and fruit[70]	LC  Unknown [70]
Tate's woolly mouse opossum	M. paraguayana Tate, 1931 Two subspecies M. p. paraguayana M. p. travassosi	Southeastern South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[71] Diet: Omnivorous and insectivorous[71]	LC  Unknown [71]
Tyler's mouse opossum	M. tyleriana Tate, 1931	Northern South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[72] Diet: Insects as well as fruit[73]	DD  Unknown [72]
White-bellied woolly mouse opossum	M. constantiae Thomas, 1904	Central South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[74] Diet: Insects and fruit, as well as nectar, small vertebrates, and eggs[57]	LC  Unknown [74]
Woolly mouse opossum	M. demerarae Thomas, 1905 Four subspecies M. d. areniticola M. d. demerarae M. d. dominus M. d. esmeraldae	Northeastern South America	Size: 8–22 cm (3–9 in) long, plus 12–27 cm (5–11 in) tail[57] Habitat: Forest[75] Diet: Insects, small animals, fruit, and nectar[75]	LC  Unknown [75]

Genus Marmosops – Matschie, 1916 – seventeen species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Andean Slender Mouse Opossum	M. caucae (Thomas, 1900)	Northwestern South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[77] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [77]
Bishop's slender opossum	M. bishopi (Pine, 1981)	Central South America	Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[79] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [79]
Brazilian slender opossum	M. paulensis (Tate, 1931)	Southeastern Brazil	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[80] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [80]
Creighton's slender opossum	M. creightoni Voss, Tarifa, Yensen, 2004	Zongo River valley in Bolivia	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[81] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	DD  Unknown [81]
Delicate slender opossum	M. parvidens (Tate, 1931)	Northern South America	Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 14–16 cm (6–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[82] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [82]
Dusky slender opossum	M. fuscatus (Thomas, 1896) Two subspecies M. f. fuscatus M. f. perfuscus	Northern South America	Size: 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 14–15 cm (6–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[83] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	DD  Unknown [83]
Gray slender opossum	M. incanus (Lund, 1841)	Eastern South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[84] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [84]
Handley's slender opossum	M. handleyi (Pine, 1981)	Central Columbia	Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[85] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	CR  Unknown [85]
Junin slender opossum	M. juninensis (Tate, 1931)	Central Peru	Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[86] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	VU  Unknown [86]
Narrow-headed slender opossum	M. cracens Handley, Gordon, 1979	Northern South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[87] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	DD  Unknown [87]
Neblina slender opossum	M. neblina Gardner, 1990	Northwestern South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[88] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [88]
Panama slender opossum	M. invictus (Goldman, 1921)	Panama	Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[89] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [89]
Pantepui slender opossum	M. pakaraimae Voss, Lim, Díaz-Nieto, Jansa, 2013	Northern South America	Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 15–17 cm (6–7 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[90] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	VU  Unknown
Pinheiro's slender opossum	M. pinheiroi (Pine, 1981)	Northern South America	Size: 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail[78] Habitat: Forest[91] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [91]
Spectacled slender opossum	M. ocellatus (Tate, 1931)	Bolivia	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[92] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [92]
Tschudi's slender opossum	M. impavidus Tschudi, 1844	Northwestern South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[93] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [93]
White-bellied slender opossum	M. noctivagus (Tschudi, 1844)	Western South America	Size: 9–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 10–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[76] Habitat: Forest[94] Diet: Insects and fruit[76]	LC  Unknown [94]

Genus Metachirus – Burmeister, 1854 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Brown four-eyed opossum	M. nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803) Four subspecies M. n. colombianus M. n. modestus M. n. nudicaudatus M. n. tschudii	South America and Central America	Size: 19–31 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 19–39 cm (7–15 in) tail[95] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[96] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as fruit, seeds, and small mammals[95]	LC  Unknown [96]

Genus Monodelphis – Burnett, 1830 – seventeen species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Amazonian red-sided opossum	M. glirina (Wagner, 1842)	Central South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[98] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [98]
Emilia's short-tailed opossum	M. emiliae (Thomas, 1912)	Central South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[99] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [99]
Gray short-tailed opossum	M. domestica (Wagner, 1842)	Central and eastern South America	Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus tail[100] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[101] Diet: Insects, fruits, and small animals[100]	LC  Unknown [101]
Handley's short-tailed opossum	M. handleyi Solari, 2007	Central South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[102] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	DD  Unknown [102]
Hooded red-sided opossum	M. palliolata (Osgood, 1914)	Northern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[103] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [103]
Ihering's three-striped opossum	M. iheringi (Thomas, 1888)	Eastern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest and unknown[104] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	DD  Unknown [104]
Long-nosed short-tailed opossum	M. scalops (Thomas, 1888)	Eastern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[105] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [105]
Northern red-sided opossum	M. brevicaudata (Erxleben, 1777)	Northern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[106] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [106]
Northern three-striped opossum	M. americana (Müller, 1776)	Eastern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[107] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [107]
One-striped opossum	M. unistriata (Wagner, 1842)	Southeastern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[108] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	CR  2–10 [108]
Osgood's short-tailed opossum	M. osgoodi Doutt, 1938	Western South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[109] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [109]
Peruvian short-tailed opossum	M. peruviana (Osgood, 1913)	Peru	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[110] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [110]
Pygmy short-tailed opossum	M. kunsi Pine, 1975	Central South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest and savanna[111] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [111]
Reig's opossum	M. reigi Lew, Pérez-Hernández, 2004	Northern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[112] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	VU  Unknown [112]
Ronald's opossum	M. ronaldi Solari, 2004	Western South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest[113] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [113]
Sepia short-tailed opossum	M. adusta (Thomas, 1897)	Northwestern South America	Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail[114] Habitat: Forest[115] Diet: Invertebrates, fruits and small vertebrates[114]	LC  Unknown [115]
Yellow-sided opossum	M. dimidiata (Wagner, 1847)	Southern South America	Size: 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long, plus 4–11 cm (2–4 in) tail[97] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands[116] Diet: Small vertebrates, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit[97]	LC  Unknown [116]

Genus Philander – Brisson, 1762 – five species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Anderson's four-eyed opossum	P. andersoni (Osgood, 1913)	Northwestern South America	Size: 25–35 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 25–35 cm (10–14 in) tail[117] Habitat: Forest[118] Diet: Insects, other small invertebrates, eggs, and fruit[117]	LC  Unknown [118]
Deltaic four-eyed opossum	P. deltae Lew, Pérez-Hernández, Ventura, 2006	Northern South America	Size: 20–38 cm (8–15 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail[119] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[120] Diet: Small mammals, other small vertebrates, eggs, insects, other invertebrates, fruit, and carrion[119]	LC  Unknown [120]
Gray four-eyed opossum	P. opossum (Linnaeus, 1758) Two subspecies P. o. fuscogriseus P. o. opossum	Northern and central South America and Central America	Size: 20–34 cm (8–13 in) long, plus 19–36 cm (7–14 in) tail[121] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[122] Diet: Omnivorous, including invertebrates, small animals, leaves, bark, seeds, nuts, nectar, and fruit[121]	LC  Unknown [122]
McIlhenny's four-eyed opossum	P. mcilhennyi Gardner, Patton, 1972	Central South America	Size: 28–31 cm (11–12 in) long, plus 26–38 cm (10–15 in) tail[123] Habitat: Forest[124] Diet: Believed to be omnivorous[123]	LC  Unknown [124]
Southeastern four-eyed opossum	P. frenatus Olfers, 1818		Size: 21–29 cm (8–11 in) long, plus 17–32 cm (7–13 in) tail[125] Habitat: Forest[126] Diet: Omnivorous, including flowers, fruit, invertebrates, and small vertebrates[126]	LC  Unknown [126]

Genus Thylamys – Gray, 1843 – nine species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Argentine fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. sponsorius (Thomas, 1921)	Central South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Shrubland[128] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	LC  Unknown [128]
Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. venustus (Thomas, 1902)	Central South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[129] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	DD  Unknown [129]
Common fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. pusillus (Desmarest, 1804)	Central South America	Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 8–14 cm (3–6 in) tail[130] Habitat: Forest and savanna[131] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	LC  Unknown [131]
Dwarf fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. velutinus (Wagner, 1842)	Eastern South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[132] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	NT  Unknown [132]
Elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. elegans (Waterhouse, 1839)	Southwestern South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[133] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	LC  Unknown [133]
Karimi's fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. karimii (Petter, 1968)	Central South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Forest and savanna[134] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	VU  Unknown [134]
Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. macrurus (Olfers, 1818)	Central South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[135] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	NT  Unknown [135]
Tate's fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. tatei (Handley, 1957)	Western South America	Size: 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long, plus 6–17 cm (2–7 in) tail[127] Habitat: Shrubland and desert[136] Diet: Insects, as well as fruit and small vertebrates[127]	DD  Unknown [136]
White-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum	T. pallidior (Thomas, 1902)	Southwestern South America	Size: 7–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[137] Habitat: Shrubland and desert[138] Diet: Arthropods, as well as leaves, fruit, and seeds[137]	LC  Unknown [138]

Genus Glironia – Thomas, 1912 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Bushy-tailed opossum	G. venusta Thomas, 1912	West-central South America	Size: 13–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 19–23 cm (7–9 in) tail[141] Habitat: Forest[142] Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit, and eggs[142]	LC  Unknown [142]

Genus Hyladelphys – Voss, Lunde, Simmons, 2001 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Kalinowski's mouse opossum	H. kalinowskii (Hershkovitz, 1992)	North-central South America	Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[143] Habitat: Forest[144] Diet: Unknown	LC  Unknown [144]