Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Didelphimorphia
- Family
- Didelphidae
- Genus
- Gracilinanus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits montane forests and cloud forests in the eastern Andes of Bolivia and Peru, at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. They prefer dense vegetation and areas with ample tree cover for arboreal living. These habitats provide protection from predators and access to food sources.
Diet
The Aceramarca gracile opossum is omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards or frogs. They forage primarily at night, using their keen senses to locate food in trees and on the ground. Feeding behavior includes climbing to reach fruits and pouncing on prey.
Behavior
This opossum is solitary and nocturnal, spending most of its time in trees where it is agile and uses its tail for balance. It exhibits minimal territorial behavior but may mark areas with scent glands. They are generally quiet and elusive, avoiding confrontation by playing dead when threatened.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies Gracilinanus aceramarcae as Data Deficient due to limited data on population size and distribution. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture in the Andes.