Monodelphis

Monodelphis

 

(short bare-tailed opossum), a genus of mammals of the family Didelphidae. The body measures 8–16 cm in length, and the tail 4–8 cm. The tail is hairless. The short, thick fur varies in color from gray to dark brown or black; many individuals have dark stripes on the back. The pouch is absent. There are ten species of Monodelphis, which are distributed from northern Argentina to northern Peru and Brazil. Members of the genus are forest terrestrial animals, but.some settle in human dwellings. The animals are omnivorous. They breed throughout the year, bearing litters of eight to 14 young.