Gray Short-tailed Opossum
Monodelphis domestica
Also called Brazilian opossum, Rainforest opossum, Laboratory opossum, Short-tailed opossum
From South America: Brazil south of the Amazon, eastern Bolivia, northern Paraguay and northern Argentina12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Males are larger than females. Wild animals weigh about 58-95 g; captive animals can reach about 150 g.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short fur, no pouch
A small marsupial with short, soft fur, a pointed face and a thin, mostly bare tail that is roughly half the length of its body. The tail can grip a little. Unlike most marsupials, females have no true pouch.12
Personality what they are like
A quiet, independent little marsupial that explores mainly by smell. It prefers its own company and is busiest around dusk and at night.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Most active in the first hours after dark. Offer climbing branches, hides and room to forage so it can search for food the way it would in the wild.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keeps its own coat tidy. Provide soft leaves or paper bedding it can gather into a hidden nest, and spot-clean the enclosure regularly.12
Home where they are happiest
A secure enclosure with ground cover, low branches and at least one concealed nest box, reflecting its natural home in forest, scrub and grassland.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore that eats insects and other invertebrates, small vertebrates and some fruit. In captivity a varied diet with insects plus some fruit reflects this.12
Company who they like around
Naturally solitary and does not tolerate other adults of its kind well, so it is normally housed alone.12
The story where it all began
This opossum has been bred in laboratories for decades because it is small and breeds readily, which is why it is also called the laboratory opossum. In 2007 it became the first marsupial to have a draft genome published, and captive-bred animals later reached the pet trade in the US and Europe.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It was the first marsupial whose genome was sequenced, with a working draft released in May 2007.2
- 2
Females have no proper pouch; the young cling to the mother's teats instead.2
- 3
It can carry nest material by curling its partly gripping tail around it.1
- 4
Gestation is remarkably short, only about two weeks.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Gray Short-tailed Opossum. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- EnrichmentNew things to explore every dayevery day
- Nails checkevery month
- Weigh inevery 2 weeks
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Gray Short-tailed Opossum?
Feed your opossum daily, offering a varied diet of insects and some fruit. Furry Diary's starting plan is to provide fresh food and water every day. Check the food label and ask your vet for exact amounts.12 Furry Diary plan
What should a Gray Short-tailed Opossum eat, and which foods are dangerous?
They are omnivores and enjoy insects, small vertebrates, and some fruit. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and xylitol, as listed by the ASPCA. Always check with your vet for a safe diet plan.123
Should I bathe a Gray Short-tailed Opossum?
No, they keep their own coat tidy and do not need baths. Just spot-clean their enclosure regularly and provide soft bedding for nesting.12
Does a Gray Short-tailed Opossum need brushing?
No, they groom themselves and do not need brushing. Their short fur stays clean with regular enclosure spot-cleaning.12
How do I look after a Gray Short-tailed Opossum's nails and teeth?
Check their nails monthly and trim if needed, as part of Furry Diary's plan. For teeth, provide safe chew items and ask your vet for advice during annual check-ups.12 Furry Diary plan
How much space and exercise does a Gray Short-tailed Opossum need?
They need a secure enclosure with climbing branches, hides, and room to forage. They are most active at dusk and night, so offer new things to explore daily for enrichment.12 Furry Diary plan
Should a Gray Short-tailed Opossum live alone or with friends?
They are naturally solitary and do not tolerate other adults well, so it is best to house them alone. This keeps them happy and stress-free.12
How long does a Gray Short-tailed Opossum live?
They typically live between 2 and 6 years. Providing good care and regular vet check-ups can help them reach the upper end of that range.12
Is a Gray Short-tailed Opossum a good pet for children?
They are quiet and independent, preferring their own company, so they may not be ideal for young children. They are best for calm, patient owners who respect their nocturnal nature.12
How do I hold a Gray Short-tailed Opossum?
Handle them gently and calmly, supporting their body fully. They are shy and may need time to trust you, so let them explore your hands at their own pace.12
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Animal Diversity Web: Monodelphis domestica animaldiversity.orgused for range, size, weight, lifespan, diet, behaviour, reproduction
- Wikipedia: Gray short-tailed opossum en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, coat, diet, behaviour, genome history
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.