Big-eared Opossum
Didelphis aurita
It possesses natural resistance to the venom of several pit viper species found within its native range, allowing it to prey on venomous snakes.
- Scientific name
- Didelphis aurita
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Didelphimorphia › Didelphidae › Didelphis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, particularly the Atlantic Forest, as well as secondary growth and forest edges.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, small rodents, birds, amphibians, and carrion.
- Range
- Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
- Size
- Head and body length 30–39 cm, tail length 33–41 cm, weight 0.9–1.8 kg
- Lifespan
- 1–3 years
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, road collisions, and occasional predation by domestic dogs.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans if left alone, but defensive if cornered or handled. It may hiss, bare its teeth, or emit a foul-smelling secretion. Keep a distance of at least 2 meters. If bitten or scratched, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical evaluation due to risks of secondary infection or rabies.
The big-eared opossum ( Didelphis aurita ) also known as a saruê is an opossum species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Photo: Nicolas Olejnik, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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