Caluromys – Woolly opossums

As their name suggests, these animals have a distinctive thick, soft, and woolly fur coat, often in shades of gray, brown, or reddish-brown, which helps them stay warm in the cooler, shaded canopy of the rainforest. Unlike the better-known North American opossum, woolly opossums are arboreal (tree-dwelling) and much more secretive, making them rarely seen but fascinating members of the Neotropical ecosystem.

All are characterized by their large eyes, which are adapted for night vision, and their prehensile tails, which are mostly furless toward the tip and function like a fifth limb for gripping branches. Their clawed hands and feet are perfect for climbing, and their slow, deliberate movements help them move quietly through the canopy without attracting predators.

Woolly opossums are omnivorous, with a diet that includes fruit, nectar, insects, small vertebrates, and sometimes bird eggs. Their love of nectar and fruit makes them important pollinators and seed dispersers, especially for certain tropical trees and vines. In fact, they’re known to visit flowering plants like balsa trees and bananas, sticking their snouts deep into blossoms and carrying pollen from one bloom to another—much like a bat or a bee.

At night, these opossums venture out from their nests—often made in tree hollows or among thick vines—to forage for food. They’re generally solitary and rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to navigate and locate ripe fruit or prey. By day, they sleep tucked safely away in foliage or hollow logs.

Though not aggressive, they can hiss or emit a musky odor when threatened. But their best defense is their stealthy lifestyle—moving quietly through the treetops and avoiding open spaces where predators like owls or snakes might catch them.