Eastern gray cuscus
| Eastern gray cuscus | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phalanger intercastellanus | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1895 |
The Eastern Gray Couscous ( Phalanger intercastellanus ) is a marsupial from the climbing family (Phalangeridae) that occurs on the southeastern peninsula of Papua New Guinea, as well as on the D'Entrecasteaux Islands , the Trobriand Islands and the Louisiade Archipelago . In New Guinea, the distribution area is north and south of the Central Mountains and extends from the southern Huon Peninsula and the Markham Valley in the northwest to the tip of the southeastern peninsula. Like the southern gray cuscus ( Phalanger mimicus ), the eastern gray cuscus was originally a subspecies of the gray cuscus ( Phalanger orientalis ), but is now considered a separate species.
features
The eastern gray cuscus reaches a head body length of 35 to 45 cm, has a 27.5 to 32.5 cm long prehensile tail and reaches a weight of 1.4 to 2.2 kg. It is therefore smaller than the Northern Gray Cuscus , but larger than the Southern Gray Cuscus. The color of the Eastern Gray Cuscus is very variable and can be whitish, gray or red-brown. Males generally have a gray or whitish coat, while females are more gray to brownish. In all cases there is a dark stripe along the center of the back and a dark tip of the tail.
Habitat and way of life
The Eastern Gray Cuscus occurs in primary and secondary rainforests from sea level to heights of about 1250 meters, as well as in overgrown gardens. Like all couscous, it feeds primarily on leaves and fruits. Little is known about behavior and reproduction. Twin births appear to be less common than the Northern Gray Couscous. On Kiriwina , females with pups in their pouches were observed in August and on Normanby , independent pups weighing around 250 g were seen in December.
Danger
The IUCN estimates the existence of the Eastern Gray Couscous as safe ( Least Concern ). Its range is relatively large and the animals are common and adaptable.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d Kristofer Helgen & Stephen Jackson: Family Phalangeridae (Cuscuses, Brush-tailed Possums and Scaly-tailed Possum). 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 , p. 491.