Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Didelphimorphia
- Family
- Didelphidae
- Genus
- Thylamys
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits dry forests and shrublands in the Andean regions of western Argentina and Bolivia. It prefers areas with rocky outcrops and dense vegetation for shelter, typically at elevations between 1000 and 3000 meters.
Diet
It mainly feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which it captures using its agile paws and sharp teeth. They may also eat fruits and seeds when available, with most feeding occurring at night to avoid detection.
Behavior
These opossums are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days hidden in nests made of leaves or rock crevices and emerging at night to forage. They exhibit territorial behavior through scent marking and are agile climbers that use their tails for balance in trees or shrubs. They are generally quiet and elusive, avoiding confrontation when possible.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Vulnerable due to habitat loss from agriculture and deforestation. Population trends are decreasing, with ongoing threats from human activities in their Andean range.