Robinson's mouse opossum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robinson's mouse opossum |
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Marmosa
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robinsoni
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The Robinson's mouse opossum (Marmosa robinsoni) is a small animal that looks a bit like a mouse, but it's actually a type of opossum. It belongs to the family Didelphidae. You can find it in many countries, including Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Grenada, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
These opossums are great climbers! They use their long, prehensile tail (a tail that can grip things) to move along tree branches and vines. They can even jump between trees while looking for tasty fruits and insects. The species is named after Wirt Robinson, who first found one of these amazing animals.
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What it Looks Like
The Robinson's mouse opossum is usually cinnamon brown on its back. Its belly is often yellow. The color on its back can change from reddish-brown to gray. The top of its head is usually lighter than the rest of its body.
It always has a black mask around its eyes, like a tiny bandit! The size of this mask can be different depending on where the opossum lives. Its tail is very long, about 1.3 times longer than its body. Fine white hairs cover its tail. Its feet are specially made for gripping, with pads and a thumb-like toe called a hallux.
Where it Lives
This opossum was first found on Margarita Island in Venezuela. It lives in many different places, from sea level up to 2,600 meters high. You can find it in wet forests, dry forests, mangroves (swampy areas near the coast), savannas (grasslands), and dry, bushy areas called xeric shrublands.
One study in Venezuela found that female opossums gained weight much faster than males. The study also showed that both male and female opossums usually move around in an area about 25 square meters wide. However, pregnant females move around in a much smaller area, only about 1 to 6 square meters.
These opossums have been seen eating fruits from tall columnar cacti. They also likely eat insects, just like many other opossums. In Venezuela, opossums living near farms and disturbed forests are bigger. This is probably because these areas have more food available.
How it Behaves
The Robinson's mouse opossum usually starts moving around at sunset. It stays active on and off until sunrise. When it first wakes up, it often grooms itself, paying special attention to its face and nose.
From what we've seen in the wild, these opossums seem to be solitary, meaning they live alone. But when kept together, they can form social groups. Males show who is in charge by marking their cages with an oily liquid.
The Robinson's mouse opossum mainly eats insects. However, fruit is also a very important part of its diet. It will also eat earthworms, small birds, bats, and even mice.
Where it is Found
The Robinson's mouse opossum lives from western Panama (in a place called Finca Santa Clara) all the way across the Isthmus of Panama to Colombia and northern Venezuela. Most of the opossums found in Venezuela are north of the Orinoco River. However, one was found south of the river in Bolivar state.
This species also lives on several islands near the coast. These include Isla del Rey and Isla Saboga near Panama. It also lives on Isla Margarita, Trinidad, and Tobago near South America. You can also find it on the Caribbean island of Grenada.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Robinson's mouse opossum has a simple way of reproducing. After being pregnant for only 14 days, the mother gives birth to 6 to 14 tiny babies. These young are very small, only about 12 millimeters long!
The babies attach themselves to their mother's mammae (nipples) and stay there for about 30 days. Unlike many other marsupials (animals with pouches), female mouse opossums do not have a pouch to protect their young. The babies are so undeveloped that their eyes don't open until they are 39 to 40 days old.
It's thought that the young are fully weaned (stop drinking milk) after about 65 days. These opossums might have a very short life, possibly only living for one year.
Marmosa species build nests for shelter. They might also use old bird nests, holes in trees, or even banana stalks. These nest spots are usually not permanent. The opossum will use any available spot when the sun starts to rise.
Conservation
Right now, there are no major threats to the Robinson's mouse opossum. However, its home can be lost when forests are cut down or when people take resources from its habitat.
