Common Name: Ground Cuscus Scientific Name: Phalanger gymnotis
LEAST CONCERN (Probably, as they are common on the islands they inhabit, but the IUCN classify them as data deficient)
Ground Cuscus Distribution: New Guinea and Aru Island Habitat: Rainforest and Scrub Length: 79cm (including tail) Weight: 2.5-3kg Diet: Omnivorous
Ground Cuscus belong to a group of marsupials that are related to the possums. This means that they have a pouch that they use to carry their young until they are 5 to 7 months old. Females have also been observed using this pouch to carry fruit! They are nocturnal and forage in the trees but they do spend time on the ground sunbathing and the sleep in burrows. They eat mainly fruit and leaves, but also some insects, eggs and small vertebrates. Their large ears and eyes are adaptations to their nocturnal lifestyle, and they have a prehensile tail that can grip branches, opposable thumbs on their hind feet and the second and third toes on the hind feet are fused together to assist climbing. The ground cuscus is a solitary animal and will fight other members of the species; they stand on their hind legs and strike at each other with their forelimbs, they also bark and hiss at the opponent. They mark their territory by secreting a liquid with a very strong scent that resembles the smell of coffee!