Common spotted cuscus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common spotted cuscus
Spilocuscus maculatus (male)
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Spilocuscus
Species:	maculatus
Common spotted cuscus range (brown — native, red — introduced, dark gray — origin uncertain)

The common spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) is a special animal called a marsupial. It's also known as the white cuscus. You can find it in places like Australia (especially the Cape York area), New Guinea, and some smaller islands nearby.

What's in a Name?

In Papua New Guinea, people who speak the Kalam language call this animal aklang or gabi.

About the Common Spotted Cuscus

The common spotted cuscus is about the size of a house cat. It weighs from 1.5 to 6 kilograms (3.3 to 13.2 pounds). Its body is about 35 to 65 centimeters (14 to 26 inches) long. Its tail can be 32 to 60 centimeters (13 to 24 inches) long.

It has a round head and small ears that are hard to see. Its fur is very thick. The cuscus has a special tail that can grab things, which helps it climb trees. Its eyes can be yellow, orange, or red, and they look a bit like a snake's eyes.

All four of its feet have five toes. Each toe has strong, curved claws, except for the first toe on each foot. On its back feet, the second and third toes are partly joined together by skin. These smaller claws can act like a comb for cleaning its fur. The first two toes on its front feet can work against the other three, helping it grip branches. The bottoms of its paws are bare and have ridges, which also help it hold onto trees and food. The first toe on its back foot has no claw and can also grab things.

Fur and Colors

The common spotted cuscus has thick, woolly fur. Its color changes depending on how old it is, if it's a male or female, and where it lives. Male cuscuses are usually grey and white or brown and white. They have splotchy patterns on their backs and a white belly. Only the males have these spots.

Female cuscuses are usually white or grey and do not have spots. Sometimes, both males and females can be completely white. Young cuscuses change colors as they grow. They reach their adult colors when they are about one year old. Their fur can be red, white, buff, brown, light grey, or black. Unlike some other cuscuses or possums, the common spotted cuscus does not have a dark stripe down its back.

Its Special Tail

The common spotted cuscus has a curled, gripping tail. This tail is a very important feature. The part of the tail closest to its body is covered in fur. The lower half of the tail has rough scales on the inside. These scales help it grip branches even better.

How They Behave

The common spotted cuscus is usually very shy. This means it's hard to see them, especially in northern Australia. They are nocturnal, which means they hunt and eat at night. During the day, they sleep on platforms they make in tree branches. They also rest in hollow trees, under tree roots, or among rocks.

They move slowly and can seem a bit lazy. Sometimes, people mistake them for sloths, other possums, or even monkeys. But sometimes, they have been seen eating during the day, which is unusual for them.

Living Alone

The common spotted cuscus usually lives by itself. It eats and nests alone. When cuscuses meet each other, especially two males, they can be aggressive. Male cuscuses mark their territory to warn other males to stay away. They let out a strong musky smell from their bodies and special glands. They also rub saliva on branches to show their territory.

If a male cuscus meets another male in its area, it will bark, snarl, and hiss. They stand upright to defend their space. They can be aggressive and might scratch, bite, and kick if they feel threatened.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Cuscuses can mate all year round and with different partners. They do their courtship on tree branches. A pregnant female carries her babies for about 13 days. The babies then stay in her pouch for 6 to 7 months. Females have four teats in their pouches. They can have up to three babies at a time, but usually, they only raise two.

Each baby weighs less than 1 gram (0.035 ounces) when it's born. The mother has a well-developed pouch that opens forward to hold her young. Cuscuses can live for up to 11 years. They are ready to have their own babies when they are about one year old.

Where They Live

The common spotted cuscus lives in rainforests, mangrove swamps, and hardwood and eucalyptus forests. They usually live below 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) in elevation. Unlike many of its relatives, it doesn't only live in rainforests. Because it lives in dense forests, it's not easy to spot, especially in Australia.

Scientists discuss whether cuscuses first came from Australia and then moved to New Guinea, or the other way around. It's thought that over the last million years, they moved between these places when sea levels were low. This created land bridges across the Torres Strait. Today, the common spotted cuscus lives in Cape York, Queensland, in northeastern Australia. It also lives in New Guinea and nearby smaller islands. You can find them as far west as Sulawesi and as far east as the Solomon Islands.

What They Eat

The common spotted cuscus has teeth that let it eat many different kinds of plants. It eats the leaves of ficus, alstonia, and slonea plants. It also eats nectar and the fruits of ficus, lithocarpus, and aglia plants. They might also eat mischocarpus and pometia plants. Sometimes, they eat flowers, small animals, and even eggs.

Animals that hunt the common spotted cuscus include pythons, hawks, and owls.

Cuscuses and People

People in New Guinea hunt the common spotted cuscus for its meat and fur. However, it doesn't have a big impact on the economy. Even with hunting, it is still common in New Guinea and most islands. But it's rarely seen in Australia because it's a very shy animal.

Humans introduced the common spotted cuscus to Selayar, Mussau, and New Ireland. They have done very well in these areas. The common spotted cuscus is listed as "least concern" for its conservation status. This means it's not currently at high risk of disappearing. This is because it lives in many places, can live in different environments, and doesn't have many predators. However, if humans keep expanding, and if there's more demand for cuscus meat and fur, or if their homes are destroyed, their numbers could go down.

See also

In Spanish: Cuscús moteado para niños