Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum facts for kids
The buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum (Thylamys venustus) is a small opossum that lives in parts of South America. It belongs to the Didelphidae family, which includes many types of opossums.
This little animal is found in the forests of northern Argentina and southern Bolivia. It likes both the transition forests and the humid forests in these areas.
Its fur on its back is a pretty cinnamon brown color. The fur on its belly is mostly gray at the base. However, its chest, throat, and the middle of its upper body (called the thoracic midline) do not have gray bases. Young opossums of this species do not have ridges above their eyes, but adult ones have small, faint ridges.
Quick facts for kids Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thylamys
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| Species: |
venustus
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| Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Marmosa elegans venusta (Thomas, 1902) |
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About Its Name
This opossum was first described in 1902 by a scientist named Oldfield Thomas. At first, it was thought to be a type of Marmosa elegans, which is another kind of mouse opossum.
However, in 1933, scientists decided it was different enough to be its own species. So, it was given its own special name, Thylamys venustus.
Where It Lives
The buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum lives in a specific part of South America. This area includes northern Argentina and southern Bolivia.
It prefers forest environments. These can be areas where one type of forest changes into another, or places with lots of humid, tropical trees.
Conservation Status
Scientists are not exactly sure how many buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossums there are. Because of this, its conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient" (DD). This means there isn't enough information to know if it's safe or if it's in danger.
The areas where this opossum lives are currently being developed by humans. This development could affect their homes. While some of its habitat is within protected areas, it's not certain if the opossums actually live in those safe zones. More research is needed to understand how to protect this unique animal.
Images for kids
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Map showing where the buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum lives.
See also
In Spanish: Marmosa coligruesa encantada para niños
