Conservation of monito del monte
Image credit: Julian F. Quintero-GalvisThis project seeks to carry out research for the conservation of endemic marsupials (Dromiciops genus)in the temperate forests of Chile. This is a project headed by Dr Roberto Nespolo.
The monito del monte or colocolo opossum, Dromiciops gliroides and Dromiciops bozinovici are marsupials native only to southwestern South America (Argentina and Chile). It belongs to the Microbiotheria order, which would have closer relationships with Australian marsupials than with South American ones. It inhabits temperate forests in the southwest of Patagonia, between Argentina and Chile.
The species is nocturnal and arboreal, and lives in thickets of South American mountain bamboo in the Valdivian temperate rain forests of the southern Andes, aided by its partially prehensile tail. It eats primarily insects and other small invertebrates, supplemented with fruit.
