Pictures and facts about the Water opossum or yapok

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Water opossum or yapok

Order : Didelphimorphia
Family : Didelphidae
Subfamily : Didelphinae
Species : Chironectes minimus

The Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus) or Yapok can be found in many parts of the globe, just to mention some: South Mexico, Colombia, Guianas, Venezuale, parts of Brazil and Peru. The natural habitat of these animals range from subtropical up to tropical territories, and also near freshwater streams. It is not impossible to find Water Opossums at high-altitude areas. The hair covering of a Water Opossum is quite unusual, the fur is a combination of black and gray. Usually, the crown and the muzzle are predominantly black, with a pale band at the forehead. A Water Opossum's ears are round, and on top of the eyes are bristles. They are real water dwellers, their fur being water-repellent and not only that, they have webbed feet which makes it possible for them to swim quickly. These yapok's forefeet are not webbed, but have claws and long fingers. Male and females both have a a pouch, and for the females, they have a mechanism that seals the pouch, as this protects their young. The latter would be able to go on without oxygen for many minutes when they are underwater.
Life expectancy for these opossums is not known exactly, in captivity lifespan was recorded of up to 3 years. The Water Opossum is basically anti-social and a "loner". Usually, they reside in subterranean places but in the daytime, they utilize a ground nest composed of either leaves or grass. Their diet consists of shrimps, crayfish, frogs and fruits.

They are not listed as endangered. However, they are indeed rare but whether this is due to its nocturnal way of living or their population is really small, even experts could only speculate.

Interesting fact They are the only kind of opossum that can move/survive in aquatic environments.

Facts about the water opossum or yapok

Trophic range is broad: most of the species are omnivorous, however, some species are excluively folivorous (the Caluromyidae), or insectivorous (Marmosa and other mouse opossums [Thylamyinae and Marmosinae]); the yapok, or water opossum, is exclusively piscivorous and lives most of its life in the water.

Well, the Yapok is a water opossum that has reversed the opening of its pouch so that the water doesn't force its way in when it is swimming under water.

The Yapok is the only modern marsupial adapted to a semi-aquatic life. (Full text)

Marsupials are also found in Central and South America - mostly possums living up in the trees - although one, the yapok, is uniquely adapted to a watery lifestyle. (Full text)

Description: The yapok is a long-legged opossum with a relatively broad snout, and a long, almost hairless, scaly tail except at its base. (Full text)

The water opossum is aptly named. (Full text)

Yapok The yapok is the world’s only marsupial that hunts in the water. (Full text)

A yapok, or water opossum, is one of very few species able to forage in the trees for insects and lizards and underwater for small fish, crabs, and frogs. (Full text)

greatest known longevity for a captive yapok is 3 years. (Full text)

greatest known longevity for a captive yapok is 3 years. (Full text)

Marsupials are also found in Central and South America -- mostly possums living up in the trees -- although one, the yapok, is uniquely adapted to a watery lifestyle. (Full text)

Welcome to Yapok Yapok is the website of Richard Zinck. (Full text)