My Assignment!

1. Classification of the Cuscus:

The Cuscuses scientific name is Phalanger Maculatus/Spilocuscus Maculatus.

The scientific classification of the Cuscuses are:

  • Kingdom: Animalia 
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Diprotodontia
  • Family: Phalangeridae (Possums & Cuscuses)
  • Genus: Spilocuscus/Phalanger
  • Species: P. Maculatus/S. Maculatus

 

2. Feautures of the Cuscus:

The Cuscus sort of looks like a possum, which it is related to. The Cuscus looks like it has virtually no ears but in actual fact it has two very sensitive ears that are flat against it's head. The Cuscus is covered in fur. It has 2 arms and 2 legs, much like a possum. It's hind feet have 5 toes but one of them is opposable much like a human thumb, which makes it easier to climb trees. It's eyes are like cat's eyes. They are used for seeing in the dark, as they are a nocturnal animal, meaning they sleep during the day and go out and hunt for food at night. The cuscus sleep in hollow tree logs or platforms in the trees that they have made for themselves. They have very long sharp claws for climbing trees. It's tail which is partially hairless is used for gripping onto tree branches and has a length of 31.5 - 60 cm long. The average weight of a cuscus is 1.5 - 6.0 kg for both male and female, but a male usually grows to the size of a house cat. The male also has spots whereas the female doesn't usually have spots. Both the male and female Cuscus are 34.8 - 65 cm in length. They keep cool in summer by hiding in hollow logs, sitting high up in trees and in sitting under the branches shade. Some different types of Cuscus keep warm in winter by hibernating, whereas others lay out in the sun and absorb the heat sort of like humans when they sun bathe. Their lifespan is about 3 - 11 years.

3. Habitat:

The Cuscus is native to northern Queensland and Papua New Guinea. They live in Tropical rain forests and Mangroves. It's tail is used to help it swing through the rain forest canopy. The climate in these places is mostly wet and humid. The plants in a Mangrove are mostly salt tolerant, which means they are adapted to the salt water & the area they live in. In a rain forest there would be carniverous plants, flowering plants, tall trees with canopy & many, many more. In a Mangrove there is mostly water and wet land, and in a rain forest there would be creeks and some wetland so because these two places are so similar, they would be a perfect environment for the Cuscus to live in. The climate in these two places can change rapidly as in winter it can be very cold in the Mangroves and it is hot in the rain forest. The weather varies a lot from hot to humid, to cold to freezing. This is why the Cuscus moves from Mangroves to rain forests in different seasons. The Cuscus eats leaves, fruit, reptiles & birds in the wild. But in captivity the Cuscus is fed its normal diet and some meats and eggs, which leads to them eating birds and smaller animals when it is let out into the wild. The Cuscus hunts at night and being an omnivore eats both plants, insect and meats. They hunt whilst most animals are sleeping and if they can't find meat they just eat fruit and plants off of trees. The Cuscus sleeps or rests all day in it's habitat in a hollowed out tree log or a part of a tree. The Cuscus builds a platform for itself to sleep and live on in the branches of trees.

4. Predators:

The Cuscus's main predators are humans, as in Papua New Guinea their meat is highly valued which leads to them being hunted and skinned. Humans are also demolishing their habitat to make new estates and shopping centres or buildings. With less and less trees around the Cuscus could die off. Their other predators are snakes, larger birds such as eagles, quolls and other dasyurids. The Cuscus can't really protect itself from humans but to get away from snakes it climbs trees and canopy. It's claws and tail make it easy to do this. Unfortunately this doesn't always work. To escape other animals it hides out in the hollows of trees and hopes it can't be found.

5. Reproduction:

The Cuscus finds it's partner by salivating onto branches which attracts their mates. The Cuscus starts to reproduce at 8 months of age. It breeds all year round. It takes the Cuscus around 2 - 3 weeks to give birth after it has been impregnated.The cuscus gives birth to live young. It gives birth to around 2 - 4 young, but unfortunately only 1 survives. This 1 young stays in the Cuscus's pouch as it is a marsupial. It looks after it's young by keeping them/it in their pouch. Their young then stay in the mother's pouch for 6 - 7 months. The Cuscus can only protect it's young whilst it is in the pouch. They do however have a very aggressive attitude and can fight off predators when their young is in trouble, but they're normally a very timid creature.

6. Conservation:

The Cuscus is certainly not endangered. In fact it is on the least concerned group of the IUCN Redlist (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Some might think the Cuscus would be on the brink of extinction. Because of its value in Papua New Guinea it is hunted so much. But be sure not to worry this beautiful animal will be around for centuries to come.

 

 

7. Bibliography:

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