The nine species in the genus Philander, commonly known as gray and black four-eyed opossums, are members of the order Didelphimorphia.

Mature females have a well-developed marsupium.

The tail appears to be hairless except for the proximal (closest to the body) 5 or 6 cm, which has a few long hairs.

The tail is slightly longer than the head-and-body length, and it is black for the proximal one half to two thirds of its length.

The genus formerly included Metachirus nudicaudatus, but this species lacks a pouch and so is now considered a separate genus.