Big-eared opossum vs Smooth hound

Didelphis aurita compared with Triakis maculata

Key Differences

• Big-eared opossum is Least Concern while Smooth hound is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Big-eared opossum	Smooth hound
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish)
Order	Didelphimorphia (Didelphimorphia)	Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
Family	Didelphidae	Triakidae
Genus	Didelphis	Triakis
Species	Didelphis aurita	Triakis maculata

Evolutionary Relationship

Big-eared opossum and Smooth hound share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Big-eared opossum

LC — Least Concern

Smooth hound

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Big-eared opossum	Smooth hound
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Big-eared opossum

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Smooth hound

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate grasslands and steppes, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm.

Range

Found in Chile. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Big-eared opossum

The Big-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is a species in the genus Didelphis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.