What is Water opossum?
{{Taxobox | name = Yapok | image = Schwimmbeutler-drawing.jpg | status = LC | status_system = iucn3.1 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia | ordo = [[Didelphimorphia]] | familia = [[Didelphidae]] | subfamilia = [[Didelphinae]] | genus = '''''Chironectes''''' | genus_authority = [[Illiger]], 1811 | species = '''''C. minimus''''' | binomial = ''Chironectes minimus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann|Zimmermann]], 1780) }} The '''water opossum''' (''Chironectes minimus'') is also known as the '''yapok'''. It is an aquatic [[marsupial]] and a member of the [[opossum]] family. It has black and grey waterproof [[fur]] and [[webbed feet|webbed hind feet]]. It is ''the only living marsupial where both sexes have a backward-pointing pouch''.<ref>The extinct [[thylacine]] also had this feature.</ref> The animal is found in the freshwater streams and lakes in [[Mexico]], [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. The water opossum lives in bankside burrows. It comes out after dusk to search for fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals, which it eats on the bank. The yapok's webbed back feet helps it chase its prey in the water.<ref>{{cite book |title=Jungle animals: over 100 questions and answers to things you want to know |last=Ganeri |first=Anita |year=2000 |location=Dubai, U.A.E |isbn=0-75254-909-X}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Marsupials of South America]] [[Category:Central America]]