Futuristic Opossums
An off-shoot of the modern Opossum family.
They took some different directions in
evolution. Some are rather quick-moving
animals, while others are slower. One
species of the Amazon region, has even
taken to hunting in the water. Unlike their
modern relatives, these animals do not "play
dead".
They took some different directions in
evolution. Some are rather quick-moving
animals, while others are slower. One
species of the Amazon region, has even
taken to hunting in the water. Unlike their
modern relatives, these animals do not "play
dead".
Bathyzo
A small opossum with a non-prehensile
tail. These animals are mostly suited to
hunting in the rivers and streams. Their
prey consists of small aquatic insects and
fish. They propel themselves through the
water using the hind feet with a
backwards kicking motion.
A small opossum with a non-prehensile
tail. These animals are mostly suited to
hunting in the rivers and streams. Their
prey consists of small aquatic insects and
fish. They propel themselves through the
water using the hind feet with a
backwards kicking motion.
Alopexium
A small, tree-dwelling opossum. The tail is
fully prehensile and very well-haired. These
animals feed mainly on leaves, fruit,
berries, insects and grubs. The large ears
can swivel independently to listen for
predators and even to hear grubs moving
around in their burrows. These are
relatively fast-moving, energetic opossums.
Moving through the trees more like
monkeys and lemurs than using the slower
methods.
A small, tree-dwelling opossum. The tail is
fully prehensile and very well-haired. These
animals feed mainly on leaves, fruit,
berries, insects and grubs. The large ears
can swivel independently to listen for
predators and even to hear grubs moving
around in their burrows. These are
relatively fast-moving, energetic opossums.
Moving through the trees more like
monkeys and lemurs than using the slower
methods.
Bradycinetus
A good-sized, slow-moving opossum.
The tail is fully prehensile and both the
tail and the feet are used in climbing.
These opossums use a very slow
hand-over-hand climbing method. In
spite of their slow climbing methods,
these animals can capture prey like
insects and small micochiropters on
the wing.
A good-sized, slow-moving opossum.
The tail is fully prehensile and both the
tail and the feet are used in climbing.
These opossums use a very slow
hand-over-hand climbing method. In
spite of their slow climbing methods,
these animals can capture prey like
insects and small micochiropters on
the wing.
Periplocada
The so-called "sloth opossum". These opossums spend all their
time clinging upside-down on the branches, much like modern
sloths. The powerful feet and fully prehensile tail help keep these
animals anchored to the branch, making it nearly impossible to
pry them off. The hands and feet are very large, with 4 highly
opposable fingers. These animals feed on leaves, fruit, ants and
termites. They move rather slowly, but faster than today's sloths.
The so-called "sloth opossum". These opossums spend all their
time clinging upside-down on the branches, much like modern
sloths. The powerful feet and fully prehensile tail help keep these
animals anchored to the branch, making it nearly impossible to
pry them off. The hands and feet are very large, with 4 highly
opposable fingers. These animals feed on leaves, fruit, ants and
termites. They move rather slowly, but faster than today's sloths.
Segnia
The largest member of the family, it is
also the one species that spends the
most time on the ground. It is the size
of a german shepherd dog, and the tail
is not prehensile. The 2 middle fingers
of this species are enlarged with claws
that can be used as weapons, while
the 2 outer digits are greatly reduced
in size. They feed on grass, berries,
fallen fruit, flowers, some small
vertebrates. They are only fast when
frightened, and often take to the tree
tops when danger is near.
The largest member of the family, it is
also the one species that spends the
most time on the ground. It is the size
of a german shepherd dog, and the tail
is not prehensile. The 2 middle fingers
of this species are enlarged with claws
that can be used as weapons, while
the 2 outer digits are greatly reduced
in size. They feed on grass, berries,
fallen fruit, flowers, some small
vertebrates. They are only fast when
frightened, and often take to the tree
tops when danger is near.