The
water opossum (
Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the
yapok , is a
marsupial of the family
Didelphidae. It is the
only member of its
genus,
Chironectes. This semiaquatic creature is found in and near the
freshwater streams and lakes in Mexico, Central and South America to
Argentina, and is the most
aquatic living marsupial (the
lutrine opossum also has aquatic habits). It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. The
thylacine, commonly referred to as the Tasmanian tiger, also exhibited this trait, but is now believed to be extinct.