Lutrine Opossum

Taxobox | name = Lutrine Opossum
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Didelphimorphia
familia = Didelphidae
subfamilia = Didelphinae
genus = "Lutreolina"
genus_authority = Thomas, 1910
species = "L. crassicaudata"
binomial = "Lutreolina crassicaudata"
binomial_authority = Desmarest, 1804
range_map2 = LutreolinaCrassicaudataMAD.png range_map2_width = 210px
range_map2_caption = Range of "Lutreolina crassicaudata"
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision = "L. crassicaudata crassicaudata" "L. crassicaudata paranalis" "L. crassicaudata turneri"

The Lutrine Opossum ("Lutreolina crassicaudata"), also known as Little Water Opossum or Thick-tailed Opossum, is an opossum species from South America. It is found in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Guyana. Populations in the two last countries are isolated from the populations of all the other countries.

It is a very peculiar opossum, having a long weasel-like body and a dense redish or yellowish fur. It also has a long tail and small rounded ears. It can be found in areas with permanent water bodies, in marshy or riparian habitats.

Lutrine Opossums are nocturnal animals and can swim and climb very well. They feed on fish, other small vertebrates and insects.

ubspecies

*"Lutreolina crassicaudata crassicaudata"
*"L. crassicaudata paranalis"
*"Lutreolina crassicaudata turneri"

References

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*John F. Eisenberg and Kent H. Redford, 2000. Mammals of Neotropics: Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.
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