Ground CusCus
These small, slow-moving, nocturnal animals from Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands, including Yapen, Misool, Salawati, and the Aru Islands, are members of the marsupial family, related to possums. They are largely solitary in the wild and often aggressive toward their own kind, using hissing, honking, foot thumping, and striking with their forelimbs to defend their space. Even in captivity, while compatible pairs can sometimes be housed together, occasional disputes may still arise. Because they prefer sleeping in dens and burrows, it’s important to provide enough secluded resting areas for them.
Diet
Ground cuscus are omnivores, feeding mainly on fruit and leaves, but they also consume seeds and occasionally eggs.
FUN FACT
They have an opposable thumb on their hind feet, which is the only digit without a claw. Their tails help them grip branches, allowing them to keep their front feet free for feeding. Interestingly, part of their tails is covered in fur, while the rest has small, bumpy growths that provide extra friction for climbing. They also have vertical pupils, and their eye colour can vary between blue, red, and orange. Some reports suggest that their territorial markings have a coffee-like scent!
LIFE SPAN
Approximately 15-18 years in captivity.
HABITAT
Ground cuscuses are found in the forests, rainforests, caves, and even cultivated gardens of Papua New Guinea and nearby islands. They spend time on the ground and in lower levels of the forest, using their climbing skills to navigate their environment. Their tendency to nest in burrows makes them vulnerable to hunting with dogs. In the wild, they take shelter in dens within caves, under trees, or along stream beds.
