CR

Marmosops handleyi

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Marmosops handleyi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation in its extremely limited range in the Colombian Andes. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have destroyed much of the cloud forest habitat this species depends on. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions, with climate change potentially shifting suitable habitat zones beyond its current elevational range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This small marsupial inhabits cloud forests and montane rainforests in the Colombian Andes, typically at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters. It requires dense forest canopy with abundant epiphytes and maintains territories in the understory and lower canopy levels.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in DIDELPHIDAE

CR

Single-striped Opossum

Monodelphis unistriata

Unknown
VU

Junin Slender Opossum

Marmosops juninensis

Declining
Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse OpossumVU

Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum

Thylamys karimii

Declining
Dryland Mouse OpossumVU

Dryland Mouse Opossum

Marmosa xerophila

Declining

Threatened in Colombia

EN

Helena's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca helenae

Stable
VU

Cavendishia macrocephala

Unknown
EN

Cavendishia sessiliflora

Unknown
VU

Macleania crassa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Marmosops handleyi classified as Critically Endangered?
Marmosops handleyi is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Marmosops handleyi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation in its extremely limited range in the Colombian Andes. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have destroyed much of the cloud forest habitat this species depends on. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions, with climate change potentially shifting suitable habitat zones beyond its current elevational range.
Where does Marmosops handleyi live?
Marmosops handleyi occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Marmosops handleyi?
The main threats to Marmosops handleyi are 2.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.