Spilocuscus

Cuscuses

The cuscuses ( Spilocuscus ) is a marsupial genus of the family of climbing Beutler ( Phalangeridae ). Of the five types of Actual cuscuses ( Spilocuscus maculatus ) is the best known.

Like most climbing Beutler cuscuses rather cumbersome built animals. Her thick, woolly fur is colored white and have reddish gray polka dots. The small heads have round, inconspicuous ears and big eyes. Cuscuses reach a body length 34-64 centimeters, the tail is 32-59 inches long and her weight is 2-7 kg.

Cuscuses live in rain and other forests in New Guinea, including offshore islands and on the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. They are nocturnal and arboreal, which are characterized by deliberate movements. Their diet consists of fruits, flowers and leaves.

There are five types:

• The Actual cuscuses ( Spilocuscus maculatus ) lives in New Guinea, the Moluccas and northern Queensland.
• Spilocuscus rufoniger is located in northern New Guinea.
• Spilocuscus kraemeri is endemic to the island of Manus north of New Guinea.
• Spilocuscus papuensis lives only on the island off the west coast of New Guinea Waigeo.
• Spilocuscus wilsoni lives only on the islands of Biak and Supiori in Cenderawasih Bay

Previously, the cuscuses were classified in the genus Phalanger, but this is viewed in most classifications obsolete.