Black Spotted Cuscus
(Spilocuscus rufoniger)
New Guinea Montane Forests
STATISTICS
Length up to
70 cm
Weight up to
7 kgs
Lifespan
UNKNOWN
Skilled Climber - Good Balance
The Black Spotted Cuscus has dense, striking black and red wooly fur. The female Black Spotted Cuscus has a dark saddle on its back while the male has a bald spots. It has a short snout with almost invisible ears and a rounded head. Its first and second fingers are opposable to the others. Its foreclaws are curved and sharply pointed and its foot is modified with an opposable big toe for climbing.
This species has a highly prehensile tail which gives it good balance. It is thought to be omnivorous but little is known of its diet. It is nocturnal and spends much of the day curled up sleeping on high branches. The Black Spotted Cuscus is a somewhat sluggish and solitary species. Mating and reproduction of this species are unknown.
BIODIVERSITY BENEFIT
Disperser of Seeds
THREATS
Hunting
Hunted for its coat and meat.
Habitat Loss
Due to expanding human population.
UNKNOWN
Left in the Wild
Sources: EOL
PROTECT THE WILDARK 100