#phalangeridae

[mammalianmammals]

Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), family Phalangeridae, found in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Cuscuses are marsupials, related to Brush-tailed Possums.

photograph by Dario Nessi

[all-mammal-creechur]

Common Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus maculatus

A marsupial that lives in the Cape York region of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby smaller islands, in rainforests, mangroves, hardwood and eucalyptus forests. It is typically very shy, so it is rarely seen, especially in northern Australia. It is nocturnal, hunting and feeding at night and sleeping during the day on self-made platforms in tree branches.

img source

[morgansram]

Spotted cuscus named Kler X

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

Have you seen the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onJun 19, 2025

[snototter]

A spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

by Isabella Chowra

[birdblues]

White Cuscus

[drhoz]

#1839 - Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus - Western Brushtail Possum

“Furry-tailed Little Fox, White Underneath”

This unfortunate roadkill was out on one of the country roads east of Perth, between two small patches of remnant bushland. Probably an adolescent - younger ones stay with the mother, and older ones are generally more cautious about traffic. 

Brushtail Possums are native to Australia (including Tasmania) and some  nearby islands, although they're a major pest in New Zealand, where they were introduced to provide a fur industry and on top of everything else are a host of bovine tuberculosis. They’re also a nuisance in suburban gardens, feasting on fruit trees, although their usual diet leans more towards eucalyptus leaves and anything they can catch.

They’re mostly nocturnal and come down to the ground more often than our other possums. There are six subspecies of the Common Brushtail, and colours may be silver-grey, brown, black, red, or cream. Although most will also have a reddish patch on the chest where the scent patch has stained the fur.

They vocalise with clicks, grunts, hisses, alarm chatters, guttural coughs, and screeching, which can be very annoying if they’re doing it in your roof.

[animalids]

Waigeo cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis)

Photo by Chien Lee