Lestodelphys halli
Patagonian opossum

Lestodelphys halli occurs farther south than any other known living marsupial species (Marshall 1977). Patagonian opossums are endemic to Argentina, particularly in the Patagonian pampas, Chubet, Mendoza, Neuquen, Rio Negro, and Santa Cruz.

Patagonian opossums are terrestrial opossums. They occur mainly in areas of shrubs, grasslands, meadows, and savannahs. (Kalafut, 2005; Marshall, 1977; New World Marsupial Specialist Group, 2006)

Head and body length range from 132 to 144 millimeters and tail length from 81 to 99 millimeters. The hind foot measures between 15.7 and 17.7 millimeters and the length of the ear is between 18 and 22 millimeters. Patagonian opossums weigh between 70 and 80 grams. (Kalafut, 2005; Marshall, 1977; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

The fur is short, soft and dense. The back is dark gray, the face is slightly darker with no markings, and the side of the body is gray. The forearms, hands, ankles, feet, and under parts are white. There is also a white patch over the eye and at the base of the ear. The ears are short, rounded, and flesh-colored. The tail is covered in short, fine hairs and is grayish brown above and whitish below. Males have an orange patch on the front of their throat and females have an orange patch around their nipples. (Kalafut, 2005; Marshall, 1977; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

The dental formula is: I 5/4, C 1/1, P 3/3, and M 4/4, totaling 50 teeth. Lestodelphys halli has a shortened muzzle, crowded premolar region, and wide zygomatic arches. The auditory bullae are large. The canines are exceptionally long and nearly vertical. (Kalafut, 2005; Marshall, 1977; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

There is little available information on the longevity of Lestodelphys halli.

Patagonian opossums live in areas with long, hard winters. They forage under the snow for rodents and enter periods of torpor to survive periods of low food availability (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992). These opossums accumulate fat at the base of their tails as a food store for lean times. They may use their long claws to dig for food or shelter. Like other, related, opossums, they are probably mainly nocturnal and solitary. (Nowak, 1999; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

Home Range

There is no available information on home range in L. halli. (New World Marsupial Specialist Group, 2006)

There is little available information on communication and perception in Lestodelphys halli. Like all mammals, olfaction and hearing are likely to be important modes of perception. Visual and tactile cues are also important and all modes of perception may be used in interspecific communication.

Unlike most didelphids, which are omnivorous, Patagonian opossums are primarily carnivorous. Their diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents. A 70 gram animal has been observed eating a 35 gram mouse. Patagonian opossums have also been captured in traps baited with dead birdd. Patagonian opossums have a shortened skull, long claws, and long canine teeth, morphologies suggestive of specialization towards carnivory. These opossums will also eat fruit and insects where they are available. During winter months they may hunt under the snow or go into torpor. They also store fat at the base of their tail. (Marshall, 1977; Nowak, 1999; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

Pellet samples have been collected during scientific studies from barn owls (Tyto alba) and Magellanic horned owls (Bubo magellanicus) which contained reminants of L. halli. Humans have also drastically imperiled this species through habitat degradation. It is also possible they serve as a food source to humans. (Martin, 2005)

Patagonian opossums are a significant part of the diet of barn owls (Tyto alba) and Magellanic horned owls (Bubo magellanicus). Pellet remains have been collected from roosting and nesting sights. Patagonian opossums are also predators of small rodents and birds in the ecosystems in which they live. (Martin, 2005; Nowak, 1999)

There is little information on negative economic impacts of Lestodelphys halli.

Patagonian opossums often live in close proximity to human dwellings. Since their diet consists largely of small rodents, they are likely to help control rodent populations. Rodents often destroy farmers crops and are carriers of many diseases. The control of rodents can have a positive economic impact because their will be less disease outbreaks and less crop damage. (Macdonald, 2001)

Patagonian opossums are experiencing habitat loss and degradation in their preferred habitats, which are extensively modified for agriculture and grazing. They were classified as vulnerable in 1996 by the IUCN. (New World Marsupial Specialist Group, 2006)

Patagonian opossums were previously known by the name Notodelphys halli. They are also known as Opossum De Patagonie. (Marshall, 1977)