Nature Field Guide
Derby’s Woolly Opossum
- Spanish name
- Zorro de balsa
- Scientific name
- Caluromys derbianus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Derby's woolly opossum is a tree-climbing marsupial with soft fur, large eyes and a dark stripe down its pale face.
Species overview
About the Derby’s Woolly Opossum
Derby's woolly opossum is a tree-climbing marsupial with soft fur, large eyes and a dark stripe down its pale face. Its long prehensile tail helps it grip branches. It searches for a varied menu that can include fruit, insects and nectar. This makes it different from an animal that eats only one type of food. Forest branches, vine tangles and tall trees provide places to travel and rest. Its tail is partly furred near the base and mostly bare farther along, a useful detail to notice in an identified photograph.
Explorer activity: Draw a branch network and plan a route for an animal with grasping feet and a gripping tail. Which gaps would be difficult?
Your discovery notes: Record the date, place and habitat. Add a sketch or a photograph taken from a distance. Write what you observed and one question you would like to investigate. If the species is uncertain, keep that uncertainty in your notes.
Identification
Key Features of the Derby’s Woolly Opossum
Soft woolly coat, often reddish brown with pale patches.
Large eyes and a dark stripe down the center of a pale face.
Long gripping tail with a furred base and mostly bare outer portion.
Habitat & range
Humid forests, forest edges and other wooded habitats.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This is a country-level profile; it does not establish occurrence in every province, town or nature site.
When to observe
Primarily at night; view resting animals without disturbing them.
Conservation & care
Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away.
Observation activity
Draw a branch network and plan a route for an animal with grasping feet and a gripping tail. Which gaps would be difficult?