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Striped possum - DACTYLOPSELA TRIVIRGATA
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Possum": The word "opossum" was taken from the Algonquian Indian word for the animal. Although other animals in South America and Australia are called "possums," they are not closely related to the Virginia animal, and only derive their name by dint of a generally similar shape. True opossums are unique to North America.
Location: Northernmost peninsula of Cape York, Australia, and New Guinea.
Habitat: Arboreal, preferring the tropical rain forest and gallery forest.
Description: The striped possum is conspicuously marked with black stripes from its eyes down the sides to its rump. Other than the stripes, its general color is white. Its fur is dense and coarse, and it has a long, bushy tail. The fourth digit of the hands as well as the fourth and fifth toes are elongated. Its head and body length is between 9"and 12", and its weight is about 6 oz.
Behavior: This strikingly colored, strictly arboreal species spends the day asleep in a tree hollow, emerging at night to search for food. In contrast to the slow pace of other possums, its actions are quick and darting. Although it eats fruit and leaves, the striped possum feeds principally on insects and insect larvae found inside dry, dead branches. The possum cab easily rip open these branches with its chiseled incisors. Detecting a grub or other morsel in a crevice, it probes with its extra-long, specialized fourth finger and pulls out its prey. The striped possum does not use its tail when climbing, but holds it upright. It often feeds while hanging upside down.
Reproduction: Its breeding habits are unknown.
Go to the Marsupials Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Or go to the Opossum Index to study more opossums.
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