Tate's woolly mouse opossum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tate's woolly mouse opossum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Marmosa
|
| Species: |
paraguayana
|
 |
|
| Tate's woolly mouse opossum range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Micoureus paraguayanus |
|
The Tate's woolly mouse opossum (Marmosa paraguayana) is a small animal from South America. It is a type of marsupial, which means it carries its babies in a pouch, like a kangaroo. This opossum lives in trees and eats both plants and insects. It was named after an American scientist named George Henry Hamilton Tate.
About the Tate's Woolly Mouse Opossum
This special opossum lives in the Atlantic coastal forests. These forests are found in countries like Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The Tate's woolly mouse opossum can live in old, natural forests. It also lives in newer forests that have grown back. Sometimes, it even lives in small forest areas surrounded by grasslands.
What It Eats
The Tate's woolly mouse opossum is an omnivore. This means it eats many different kinds of food. A big part of its diet is insects. It also eats other things it finds in the forest.
Its Family Tree
This opossum belongs to a group of animals called Didelphidae. This is the family name for all opossums. It was once thought to be in a different group called Micoureus. But in 2009, scientists decided it was part of the Marmosa group. Micoureus is now a smaller group within Marmosa.
Staying Safe
Right now, the Tate's woolly mouse opossum is listed as "least concern". This means it is not in immediate danger of disappearing. However, its home is getting smaller. People are building more cities and farms in the forest areas where it lives. This loss of habitat is a challenge for these opossums.
See also
In Spanish: Marmosa paraguaya para niños
