Blue-eyed spotted cuscus facts for kids
The blue-eyed spotted cuscus, also known as the Biak spotted cuscus, is a special kind of animal called a marsupial. It's part of the Phalangeridae family, which includes possums and gliders. This amazing creature is currently critically endangered, meaning it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Its scientific name is 'Spilocuscus wilsoni'.
Quick facts for kids Blue-eyed spotted cuscus |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Spilocuscus
|
| Species: |
wilsoni
|
 |
|
| Blue-eyed spotted cuscus range | |
What Does the Blue-Eyed Cuscus Look Like?
The blue-eyed spotted cuscus has a beautiful coat. It's a mix of pale brown, grey, and white colors. Its belly is a creamy white. This type of cuscus is smaller than other spotted cuscuses. A very special feature is its distinct pale blue eyes.
Where Does the Blue-Eyed Cuscus Live?
This unique animal lives on several islands in Cenderawasih Bay. This bay is located in West Papua, Indonesia. The islands where it can be found include Biak, Supiori, and Numfor.
Even though it naturally lives on Biak and Supiori, some have been seen on Numfor. These were likely kept as pets. The blue-eyed cuscus makes its home high in the trees. It prefers the tropical rainforests found on Supiori and Biak.
The island of Supiori has rough, rugged land. This makes it harder for people to travel through. Because of this, the cuscus population there is safer. It tends to be more plentiful than on the island of Biak.
Why Is the Blue-Eyed Cuscus Endangered?
The blue-eyed spotted cuscus faces many dangers. One big problem is habitat loss. This happens when their forest homes are cut down. People also hunt these animals. Some are even caught to be sold as pets.
Scientists only officially described this species in 2004. It was already very rare back then. In 2015, the IUCN (a group that studies nature) called it critically endangered. This means it's in extreme danger of disappearing. Recent searches haven't found any wild cuscuses on Numfor. More recently, none have been found on Biak either.
Right now, there aren't many big projects to protect this animal. However, some areas where it lives are protected. About 12% of its natural area is a protected zone. This covers about 344 square kilometers across the three islands.
