VUVulnerable

Caluromys derbianus

Local name: Derby’s Woolly Opossum

Unknown

Overview

Derby's woolly opossum, or the Central American woolly opossum, is an opossum found in deciduous and moist evergreen forests of Central America, from southern Mexico to western Ecuador and Colombia. It was first described by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse, and named in honor of Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. Derby's woolly opossum is the largest in its genus, with a total length of 60 to 70 centimetres and weight between 200 and 400 grams.

The coat is brown and the underside white-buff to golden-brown. The opossum is nocturnal, arboreal (tree-living) and solitary. Diet consists of fruits, nectar, small invertebrates and vertebrates.

The time when breeding takes place varies geographically. The litter size ranges from one to six. The IUCN classifies this opossum as...

Derby's Woolly Opossum faces significant pressure from widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation throughout its Central and South American range. Agricultural expansion, logging, and urban development continue to reduce and isolate forest patches, while the species' arboreal lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to canopy connectivity loss.
Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and secondary forests from sea level to approximately 2,000 meters elevation, showing preference for dense canopy cover. The species is strictly arboreal, requiring continuous forest canopy for movement and foraging in both primary and mature secondary forest habitats.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Didelphidae

Rufous Mouse Opossum

Marmosa lepida

Unknown

Slim-faced Slender Mouse Opossum

Marmosops cracens

Unknown

Wood Sprite Gracile Mouse Opossum

Gracilinanus dryas

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Derby’s Woolly Opossum classified as Vulnerable?

Derby’s Woolly Opossum is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Derby's Woolly Opossum faces significant pressure from widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation throughout its Central and South American range. Agricultural expansion, logging, and urban development continue to reduce and isolate forest patches, while the species' arboreal lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to canopy connectivity loss.

Where does Derby’s Woolly Opossum live?

Derby’s Woolly Opossum occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to Derby’s Woolly Opossum?

The main threats to Derby’s Woolly Opossum are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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