Head to head
Monito del Monte vs Patagonian Opossum
Monito del Monte
VS Patagonian Opossum
Both are small, little-studied marsupials of southern South America, but their evolutionary history and geographic records differ.
| Monito del Monte | Patagonian Opossum | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dromiciops gliroides | Lestodelphys halli |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Unknown |
| Notable record | Sole survivor of an ancient marsupial order | Southernmost-ranging marsupial in the Americas |
| Diet | Omnivore, insects and fruit | Carnivore, small mammals and birds |
| Cold-survival strategy | Hibernates through winter | Tolerates extreme cold without hibernating |
| Closest relatives | Australian marsupials | Other South American opossums |
| Habitat | Forest | Grassland, desert |
Monito del Monte vs Patagonian Opossum: common questions
Which marsupial hibernates?
The monito del monte does, hibernating through the coldest winter months, a strategy the Patagonian opossum does not use despite also tolerating cold conditions.
Which marsupial holds a southerly range record?
The Patagonian opossum does, ranging further south than any other marsupial species found anywhere in the Americas.
Which marsupial is more closely related to Australian species?
The monito del monte is, as the sole surviving member of an ancient order more closely related to Australian marsupials than to any other South American mammal.