White-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum

discussion

Discussion: Identification of Peruvian and Chilean populations based on Solari (2003). Subspecies are not recognized here; needs revision.

Order Didelphimorphia

distribution

Distribution: W and S Peru, N Chile, and S Bolivia as far south as Peninsula Valdéz, Argentina.

Order Didelphimorphia

activity

Activity patterns. The Pallid Fat-tailed Opossum is nocturnal, showing higher body temperatures at night and lower temperatures during daytime. When ambient or body temperatures drop below specific thresholds (15 ° C for ambient temperature or 29 ° C for body temperature), they enter torpor.

Didelphidae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Mostly arid and semi-arid habitats, including highand low-elevation deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes, from sea level to ¢. 4500 m. These habitats occur in the Coastal Desert, Andes, Puna, Prepuna, Monte Desert, and Patagonian steppe. Although Pallid Fat-tailed Opossums frequently occur in areas with little vegetation, which may be rocky or associated with water, they also occurs in Polylepis (Rosaceae) woodlands in Bolivia; Larrea (Zygophyllaceae) shrublands, Prosopis (Fabaceae) woodlands, dry thorn scrub in the Monte Desert; and scrubby steppe vegetation in Patagonia. Studies assessing habitat preference of the Pallid Fat-tailed Opossum showed that it prefers less complex habitats but always associated with high vegetation cover on the ground, possibly to avoid predation. Vegetation structure is more strongly correlated with its presence than habitat type. Some Pallid Fat-tailed Opossums have been collected in buildings.

Didelphidae