description Common Cuscus Overview
The common cuscus, Phalanger orientalis, is an arboreal marsupial found in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, and parts of eastern Indonesia. It has a broad, rounded body, a grasping tail, and feet adapted for climbing among branches. The species lives mainly in forested habitats and is active at night, feeding on plant material and other available food, with local populations differing in appearance.
help Common Cuscus FAQ
What is the scientific name of the common cuscus?
The common cuscus is Phalanger orientalis. It is an arboreal marsupial, not a monkey or a large tree-dwelling rodent.
Where is the common cuscus found?
It occurs in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, and parts of eastern Indonesia. That range covers several island regions north of Australia.
What adaptations help the common cuscus climb?
The common cuscus has a grasping tail and feet adapted for climbing among branches. Its broad, rounded body is suited to an arboreal life in forest vegetation.
Is the common cuscus a marsupial or a possum-like mammal?
It is a marsupial in the phalanger group, and its appearance can make it look possum-like. Phalanger orientalis is mainly associated with trees and spends much of its life moving through branches.
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