Статья посвящена биологии домовых опоссумов и особенностям их содержания и разведения в условиях неволи. Помимо литературных данных, приведен опыт, накопленный в ходе рутинной работы с видом в течение почти 20 лет в московском зоопарке. При составлении текста учитывались результаты проведенных за это время исследований.

Short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica, Marsupialia, Didelphidae) - biology and captive keeping.

G. К Vakhrusheva, О. G. Ilchenko, L. К Kondratyeva.

Short-tailed opossums inhabit different forests of South America. These nocturnal animals are small in size, their great toes are large enough, clawless and opposable.Their short tails are not haired and are partly prehensile. Pouch in females is not developed and 12 mammae are arranged in a circle on the female’s abdomen. Habits and behavior of these animals are not well known though for many years they have been laboratory animals and were kept in zoos and private collections. Now they are more often treated as pets as they are cute, funny and easy to keep and tame. The article discusses the main aspects of biology of short-tailed opossums, primarily their captive keeping, breeding and behavioral peculiarities. Special emphasis is made on adequate feeding as incorrect diet often leads to serious vet. problems. Different rations are cited.