Water opossum

Scientific Classification

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Chordata
 * Class: Mammalia
 * Order: Didelphimorphia
 * Family: Didelphidae
 * Genus: Chironectes
 * Species: C. minimus
 * Binomial Name: Chironectes minimus

Description
Water opossums are typically 10-16 inches in length and their tail is usually around 12-17 inches long. They normally weigh around 20-29 ounces. As the only masupial that lives in water, they have dense fur that repels water along with webbed toes on its hind feet. They also have a pouch that can be closed tight while the opossum is underwater.

Habitat
Water opossums live in temperate and tropical forests as well as in wetlands and rivers and streams. They are found in southern Mexico to central South America. They live along the bank of a river in a den, in which they rest during the day.

Behavior
Water opossums are individual species.

Diet
Water opossums feed on fish and frogs. They catch their prety with their front toes which have no claws.