The shrewish or red-sided short-tailed opossum has the most nipples among mammals.
While the tailless tenrec and the Natal multimammate rat are known for having many nipples, they are placental mammals. The marsupial that has the most nipples is the shrewish or red-sided short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis sorex), native to South America. This opossum species, found in southern Brazil, southern Paraguay, and northern Argentina, can have as many as 17 nipples.
Here's a summary:
| Animal | Type | Number of Nipples |
|---|---|---|
| Shrewish short-tailed opossum | Marsupial | Up to 17 |
| Tailless tenrec | Placental | High number |
| Natal multimammate rat | Placental | High number |
This demonstrates that while several animals have a high number of nipples, the shrewish or red-sided short-tailed opossum holds the record among marsupials. The number of nipples is particularly important for marsupials to support their developing young in their pouch.
