Yapok
The water opossum (Chironectes minimus ), also locally known as the yapok, is a marsupial of the family Didelphidae. It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. This semiaquatic creature is found in and near freshwater streams and lakes from Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina and is the most aquatic living marsupial (the lutrine opossum also has semiaquatic habits). It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. The thylacine, commonly referred to as the Tasmanian tiger, also exhibited this trait, but it is now believed to be extinct. The water opossum lives in bankside burrows, emerging after dusk to swim and search for fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals, which it eats on the bank.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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NatatorialNatatorial animals are those adapted for swimming. Some fish use their pectoral fins as the primary means of locomotion, sometimes termed labriform...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withIts fur is in a marbled grey and black pattern, while the muzzle, eyestripe, and crown are all black. A light band runs across the forehead anterior to the ears, which are rounded and naked. There are sensory facial bristles in tufts above each eye, as well as whiskers. The Water opossum's tail furred and black at the base is yellow or white at its end. Its hind feet are webbed, while the forefeet ("hands") are not. The forefeet can be used to feel for and grab prey as the animal swims, propelled by its tail and webbed back feet.
Water opossums are found from Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina. They live in and near freshwater streams, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water in tropical moist forests.
Water opossums are solitary creatures. They live in bankside burrows, emerging after dusk to swim and search for prey, which they eat on the bank. These are excellent swimmers and divers; their broad webbed hind feet are used for propulsion through water, moving with alternate strokes. The hindfeet are symmetrical as well, which distributes force equally along both borders of the webbing; this increases the efficiency of the Water opossum's movement through the water. The long tail of these animals also helps them in swimming. When threatened, Water opossums usually jump into the water and often this way escape predation.
Water opossums are carnivores (piscivores). They feed on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals which they catch in the water.
Water opossums are polygynandrous (promiscuous) which means that both the males and the females have multiple partners. They usually breed in December. After the gestation period of 12-14 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 1-5 young in the nest. The newly born offspring climb to the mother's pouch, where they begin nursing. By 22 days the young are beginning to show some fur, and by 40 days or so their eyes are open. At 48 days of age, the young opossums detach from the nipples, but they still nurse and sleep with the mother.
The main threats to Water opossums include the loss of suitable habitat due to deforestation and pollution of freshwater ecosystems.
According to IUCN, the Water opossum is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.