Mammals · Didelphimorphia · Didelphidae

Gray Four-Eyed Opossum

Philander opossum

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The grey four-eyed opossum owes its name to two white patches set just above its eyes, which at a distance and in the half-light look like a second pair. It is a medium-sized marsupial, closely tied to water: it swims well and looks for frogs, crabs and insects along the banks, as well as fruit and eggs. The female has no complete pouch and the young travel clinging to the teats. It is common even close to inhabited areas.

Weight

200 g – 700 g

Size

25 cm – 35 cm

Lifespan

3 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestFreshwaterOmnivore Nocturnal Solitary Rainforest Freshwater Mammal

16countries 76parks5same family

Fun facts

GeneralThe two white spots above its eyes look like a second pair of eyes.
Its two white patches above the eyes probably work as false eyes: in the dark they confuse a predator as to where the animal is really looking.
It is notably resistant to snake venom: like other American opossums, it has a protein in its blood that neutralises some of the toxins of vipers, and it has been seen attacking and eating venomous snakes.