critterscience
The Monito Del Monte
The monito del monte, aka colocolo opossum, is considered a living fossil, as it's the only living member of Microbiotheria. Which is an otherwise extinct order. They can be found in Chile and Argentina. colocolos prefer dense, cool, humid forests, and thickets of Chilean bamboo. These small critters are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Their populations are threatened by habitat destruction at the hands of deforestation and they are decreasing in numbers.
First the Stats...
Scientific name: Dromiciops gliroides
Weight: Up to 1.7 ounces
Length: Up to 10 inches, including tail
Lifespan: Up to 2.2 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Monito del monte translates to “monkey of the mountains”.
2.) This species of opossum is sexually dimorphic in that the females are much heavier and longer than males.
3.) Colocolos are seasonally monogamous (stay together for the duration of the breeding season).
4.) Like other opossums, they are nocturnal (active at night).
5.) They are also arboreal (spend their lives in trees).
But wait, there's more on the monitos del monte!
6.) Just like other opossums, these critters have a prehensile tail (the tail is used as an additional appendage).
7.) Another key feature is that they have opposable thumbs, like primates and humans.
Did you know...?
Monitos del monte have been around since the age of the dinosaurs.
8.) During winter, they hibernate. While in hibernation, their heart rate drops from 230 beats per minute to a mere 30!
9.
The Monito Del Monte
The monito del monte, aka colocolo opossum, is considered a living fossil, as it's the only living member of Microbiotheria. Which is an otherwise extinct order. They can be found in Chile and Argentina. colocolos prefer dense, cool, humid forests, and thickets of Chilean bamboo. These small critters are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Their populations are threatened by habitat destruction at the hands of deforestation and they are decreasing in numbers.
First the Stats...
Scientific name: Dromiciops gliroides
Weight: Up to 1.7 ounces
Length: Up to 10 inches, including tail
Lifespan: Up to 2.2 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Monito del monte translates to “monkey of the mountains”.
2.) This species of opossum is sexually dimorphic in that the females are much heavier and longer than males.
3.) Colocolos are seasonally monogamous (stay together for the duration of the breeding season).
4.) Like other opossums, they are nocturnal (active at night).
5.) They are also arboreal (spend their lives in trees).
But wait, there's more on the monitos del monte!
6.) Just like other opossums, these critters have a prehensile tail (the tail is used as an additional appendage).
7.) Another key feature is that they have opposable thumbs, like primates and humans.
Did you know...?
Monitos del monte have been around since the age of the dinosaurs.
8.) During winter, they hibernate. While in hibernation, their heart rate drops from 230 beats per minute to a mere 30!
9.