Southern Four-eyed Opossum

Identification

The comadreja de cuatro ojos, or southern four-eyed opossum, is a medium-sized opossum named for the pair of pale spots above each eye that stand out against its darker face. Its upper fur is grayish, with darker underfur and darker tones near the ears and face, while the underside is yellowish to whitish, with gray shading along the sides, between the forearms, and on the lower neck and jaw. The tail is bald and distinctly two-toned: gray for roughly half to two-thirds of its length, then white toward the tip.

Total length ranges from about 230 mm to 620 mm, averaging around 487 mm, of which the tail averages about 262 mm. Despite this wide size range, populations show no physical differences across the species' range.

Range & habitat

This species occurs in southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay. It is the only Philander species known from the Atlantic Rainforest, where it is endemic and occupies almost every habitat within the region — lowland forests, submontane forests, coastal scrub, and even agricultural fields. Its range likely meets that of the common four-eyed opossum where the Atlantic Rainforest contacts other forest types in Brazil and Paraguay.

Behaviour & diet

Like its congeners, this is a true omnivore, taking fruits, flowers, seeds, invertebrates, carrion, and small vertebrates. Recorded foods include seeds, birds, mammals, reptiles, and various invertebrates, with birds and beetles the most common prey. It is primarily terrestrial, nocturnal, and solitary, and litters average roughly three to six young.

Best time & places to see it

Because it is nocturnal and solitary, the best chances come from night searches in Atlantic Rainforest habitats across southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay — from lowland and submontane forest to coastal scrub and even agricultural edges. Slow, quiet walks with a red-filtered headlamp, plus patience around fruiting trees and fallen logs, offer the most reliable encounters.

Photography tips

Use a red or low-intensity light to reduce disturbance, and keep the beam off the animal's eyes where possible. Focus on the pale eye-spots and the two-toned tail — the field marks that separate it from its relatives. A fast lens and high, clean ISO help in low forest light; stay low and still, and let the animal move naturally rather than chasing it.