Bucher J E, Fritz H I
Lab Anim Sci. 1977 Dec;27(6):1007-12.
Circadian activity, general behavior, dietary requirements, and reproductive activity were recorded in a small laboratory colony (four females, six males) of two species of the woolly opossum (Caluromys lanatus and C derbianus) over a period of 3 years. The two species were indiscernable in all aspects of their behavior. Both were completely nocturnal and rarely active during daylight hours. General behavior was apparently related to many variables, particularly individual temperament and cage size. Even docile individuals were more excitable when housed in small cages. Although the woolly opossum is reported to prefer a meat diet, the opossums in this study remained healthy on a meat-egg-fruit diet, and showed a special liking for fruit, especially bananas. Vaginal smears indicated that females of the colony were cyclic, but all attempts to breed them were unsuccessful. Sexual behavior included pre-mount, pelvic-thrust displays on the part of the male, with complete repulsion by all females.
在三年时间里，对两种绵毛负鼠（南美绵毛负鼠和德比绵毛负鼠）的一个小型实验室种群（四只雌性、六只雄性）的昼夜活动、一般行为、饮食需求和繁殖活动进行了记录。这两个物种在行为的各个方面都难以区分。两者都是完全夜行性的，白天很少活动。一般行为显然与许多变量有关，特别是个体性情和笼子大小。即使是温顺的个体，被关在小笼子里时也会更易激动。尽管据报道绵毛负鼠更喜欢肉食，但本研究中的负鼠以肉 - 蛋 - 水果饮食保持健康，并且对水果，尤其是香蕉表现出特别的喜爱。阴道涂片显示该种群的雌性有周期性变化，但所有繁殖它们的尝试都未成功。性行为包括雄性的预交配、骨盆推挤展示，但所有雌性都完全排斥。
