Bear cuscus
| Bear cuscus | ||||||||||||
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Bear Cuscus ( Ailurops ursinus ) |
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| Ailurops | ||||||||||||
| Wagler , 1830 |
The bear cuscus ( Ailurops ) are a genus of marsupial mammals from the climbing family (Phalangeridae). They are among the most primitive representatives of this family and have developed on their homeland, the island of Sulawesi and offshore islands, isolated from the other climbing baggers.
distribution
Bear cususes are only found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (Celebes) and on the offshore Talaud Islands .
description
Bear cususes reach a head body length of around 56 to 61 cm, their tail is just as long. The gray, brown, or black fur is thick and furry. In addition to the thick fur, the forward-facing eyes, the short snout and the small, round ears ensure the " bear " -like appearance.
Way of life
Bear cususes are arboreal marsupials that occur in tropical rainforests up to 400 m above sea level. The prehensile tail and the two thumbs, which can be placed opposite the other fingers, serve this way of life. The slow, elegant movement is typical for them. The low nutritional value of their main food, leaves, means that bear cususes (similar to other leaf-eating animals such as sloths or koalas ) have developed a very energy-saving way of life. The majority of the day is spent sleeping or resting, with foraging and grooming the rest. Bear cusus do not have a pronounced day-night rhythm, phases of rest and phases of activity do not depend on the time of day. In contrast to the other climbing baggers, bear cususes are not loners, but live together in pairs or in groups of three to four animals.
food
Leaves make up the bulk of the diet; to a lesser extent, they also eat unripe fruits and buds.
Reproduction
Females give birth to a young one or two times a year. The young animal stays in its mother's pouch for around eight months and stays with her for a long time afterwards. More details about the reproduction are not known.
threat
Bear cususes are protected in Indonesia. Yet their flesh is desired; clearing is likely to cause them problems. Exact data on the degree of risk do not exist.
The species
In the 2015 marsupial volume of the Handbook of the Mammals of the World , a standard work of mammalogy , three species are listed.
- The actual bear cuscus ( Ailurops ursinus ) is native to the island of Sulawesi .
- The Talaud bear cuscus ( Ailurops melanotis ) was only recognized as a separate species in 2003. It becomes smaller than the actual bear cousin and lives on the Talaud Islands .
- The great bear cuscus ( Ailurops furvus ) occurs in mountain forests in central and southwestern Sulawesi.
supporting documents
- ↑ Kristofer Helgen & Stephen Jackson: Family Phalangeridae (Cuscuses, Brush-tailed Possums and Scaly-tailed Possum). Pages 485-486 in Don E. Wilson , Russell A. Mittermeier : Handbook of the Mammals of the World - Volume 5. Monotremes and Marsupials. Lynx Editions, 2015, ISBN 978-84-96553-99-6
