Species MammalsWater Opossum

Water Opossum

Chironectes minimus

Very rareMammal
Illustration of Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus)

The Water Opossum is the world's only semi-aquatic marsupial, with webbed hind feet, a waterproof pouch that can be sealed shut while the mother dives, and a boldly patterned black-and-gray coat. It swims through streams using its hind feet and tail as propulsion while catching fish and crayfish. It inhabits tropical streams from Mexico through South America.

Habitat
Clean tropical streams and rivers in forested areas
Diet
Fish, crayfish, mollusks, and aquatic invertebrates
How common
Very rare

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