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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. The animal lives in bankside burrows, emerging after dusk to swim and search for fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals, which it eats on the bank. ==Origin of the name== The local name for the water opossum, "yapok", probably comes from the name of the Oyapok River in French Guyana. The yapok of Central and South America is superbly adapted to a life in water. It has long webbed toes on its hindfeet,water-repellant fur, and a pouch that closes during dives. It hunts its aquatic prey of fish, frogs, crustaceans, and rests in a riverbank den by day. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Water opossum」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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