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Geographic Range
Gray-bellied shrew opossums (Caenolestes caniventer) are found in central Ecuador and northwestern Peru, primarily on the Pacific slopes of the Andes Mountains. Individuals have been trapped in Ecuador in the following locations: El Oro Province, near Mount Cayambe and Molleturo. (Albuja and Patterson, 1996; Barnett, 1991; Patterson and Solari, 2008)
Biogeographic Regionsneotropical native
Habitat
Gray-bellied shrew opossums reside in subtropical and montane forests of the Andes Slopes at elevations above 1,500 meters. These animals prefer cool wet areas and create channels under root systems along streams in wet grasslands. (Albuja and Patterson, 1996; Barnett, 1991; Patterson and Solari, 2008; Tate, 1931; Timm and Patterson, 2008)
Habitat Regionstropical terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomesforest mountains
Range elevation
1,500 (low) m
(low) ft
Physical Description
Gray-bellied shrew opossums are marsupials, they are somewhat shrew-like in appearance, with elongated faces. They can be distinguished from their close relative, silky shrew opossums (Caenolestes fuliginosus), by the coarse thickness of their brownish-black fur. Their fur is relatively long, about 10 mm in length and is occasionally tipped in white. Their under-fur has a grayish-white hue and they commonly have dark spots on their chest. Gray-bellied shrew opossums have an average total body length of 256 mm, including a tail length of 127 mm and weigh about 40 grams. (Lunde and Pacheco, 2003; Osgood and Herrick, 1921; Tirira, 2007)
In general, members of family Caenolestidae can be distinguished from other marsupial groups by their unique dentition. They have a reduced number of incisors and their lower middle incisors are large and have a forward slope. The dental formula for genus Caenolestes is: I 4/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 4/4, 46 teeth total. Their tail is long, about as long as their body, and appears rat-like and hairless, although it is covered in white fur. While their tail is not prehensile, it is used for support while they climb. Shrew opossums have short robust limbs, each containing 5 digits; their middle 3 digits are shorter than the outside 2. Their humeri are extremely heavy; in comparison, their femurs are relatively slender. Members of family Caenolestidae have unusual lip flaps, they may function as a method of preventing debris from interfering with their whiskers or they may help prevent ingestion of unwanted debris. Similar to other marsupials, Caenolestid females have 2 uteri and 2 vaginas. Members of genus Caenolestes lack a pouch but do have 4 mammae, 2 on either side of their abdomen. These animals show sexual dimorphism, with adult males larger than adult females. (Lee and Cockburn, 1985; O'Connell, 2006; Osgood and Herrick, 1921; Tirira, 2007)
Common shrew opossums (Caenolestes obscurus), a close relative of gray-bellied shrew opossums, show evidence of a low metabolic rate, based on their body temperature (35.4° C), their body weight (about 40 g), their cool habitat and their thick fur coat. This species shows no evidence of entering torpor. (McNab, 1978)
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