Habita.--the opossum generally moves about only at night and divides its tise between travel 
through the trees end on the ground, Its prehensile tail and grasping feet make it vell 
edapted $0 Bovenent in trees, It is omnivorous, eating whatever food may be most convenient 
whether it be meat, insects, fish, fruit, frogs, or eggs. It sometimes steale chickens and . 
eggs, ond ees bananas in warehouses, It sakes ite den either in « hollow tree or in a 
hole in the ground, and rears five to ten often twice 
carried by the female in a pouch on the tekige , a ina year, The young are 
Buniing.--The meat of the opossum is rather oily, but in many perts of ite range is eaten 
by the natives, It is hunted at night with hounds, and shot from trees with the aid of a 
flashlight. In the southern United States, the opossum is considered by many sportemen to 
be a good game animal, Apparently it is not bunted in Guatemala, 
Rexarka.--This species has also been know by the name Didelphis mesamericana. 
2. 
Wames.--latin: Philander opoesug 
Guatemalan: ComadreJja 
Englieh: Pallid opossum 
Deecription--Somewhat smaller than Didelonis marsunialis, but similar in general appearance, 
though lacking long guard hairs, Color of upper parts gray, underparts cream, head black 
except for conspicuous white spots above the eyes and on the cheeks; tail black at base, white 
at tip. Fur short and woolly. 
Distinguishing characteristics.—-To be confused only with Didelphis marsupielis (No. 1) from 
which it may be distinguished easily by the lack of guard hairs, which in Didelobis marsupialis 
extend conspicuously beyond the short fur, 
Measurements.--Three adults from Lake Atescatempa and Masatenango average: total length, 
615 om.; tail, 322 mm.; hind sate mm,; ear, 37mm, 
General Distribution.--Vera Cruz, xico south to Panama, 
Distritution in Guatemaia.--Lowlands and mountains up to at least 3,500 ft. elevation. Common. 
Habjitat.--Mostliy along streams and in damp woods and thickets, Often found about banana, 
sugar, and corn storehouses, : 
Habits.--Like the other Guatemalan opossums it is nocturnal end pertially arboreal, but because 
it seems to prefer damper situations, probably it eats a higher percentage of frogs, crabs, 
fish, and mice than the others, Two females trapped at Lake Atescatempa on April 20 had re- 
spectively five and seven small young in their belly pouches, 
Hunting.-- See Didelphis marsupjalis (Ho. 1) 
Remarks,--Aleo known by the names Metachirops and Metachirug. The Guatemalan race is pallidus. 
36 
Names,—-Latin: Caluromys derbienus 
Guatemalan: ? 
English: White-eared woolly opossun 
Description.--Slightly smaller than Didelyhis marsupialis. Pelage thick and woolly, bright 
‘yeddieh on upper parts, cream-colored on underparts, Sars white, and a white stripe between 
the shoulders, Tail furred for one-half ite length, the remainder naked and white. 
Distinguishing characteristics.--The bright reddish coloration will distinguish it from any 
other Guatemalan mammal of similar size, 
Mepsurements.--Average measurements are: total length, 635 mm,; tail, 375 mm.; hind foot, 
mm.; ear, 35 mm, 
ieee ae ore south through Central America to Paraguay in South America. 
Probably the tropical lowlands of the lower Rfo Motagua, around 
Distribution in Guatemals 
Lake Izabal, the Rio Sarstun, and possibly parts of Petén. Uncommon. 
Habiteat.--fropical lowland forests. 
Habits.--The woolly opossum is probably seldom seen by man, being nocturnal and arboreal, 
living in the tops of forest trees. Its food probably consists mostly of fruits, insects, 
and birds! eges. 
oe name Philander leniger has also been applied to this species. The Guatemalan 
race is fervidus. 
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