Cuscus The Rare Indonesian Marsupial
Cuscus is one of the marsupial
mammals that exist in Indonesia. The main characteristic of kus-kus is stomach that
have a pouch ,a round face shape with small ears and thick fur. Cuscus consists
of various genus.There are reddish brown, white and gray. Additionally Cuscus
has a long and strong tail that serves as a tool to hold on as it passes from
one branch to another. Its tail also as defensive weapon by tying his tail
firmly on the trunk or branch of a tree.
Couscous is an endemic animals of
Sulawesi, also spread in Papua, Papua New Guinea, Pakpak Bharat ,Southern
island of Sulawesi, on some islands in the Maluku, Seram, Ambon and Kei
Archipelago. But the numbers are very limited. It was found in a humid tropical
forest and there is also recorded in the mangrove forest. Live from one tree to
another.
Cuscus is generally a herbivorous
animals. Like to eats leaves, fruits, insects, small animals and birds' eggs.
As close relatives, kangaroos, Cuscus’ children were small and not fully
developed. Because of its birth, the child is live in pouch layered with a fine
hair in its parent’s abdoment. After a rather large, kuskus’ child sometimes
seen riding on the back of each parent with tails intertwined.
It prefers to be alone when hunting
food. Cuscus is also a nocturnal animal (activity at night). It also because he
thinks it would be safe from its enemy.
4 out of 5 kuskus’ genus found in
Indonesia, namely Ailurops, Phalanger, Spilocuscus and Strigocuscus. Some species
that live in Indonesia are bear cuscus (Phalanger alexandrae), mountain cuscus
(Phalanger carmelitae),ground cuscus(Phalanger gymnotis),Blue-eyed Cuscus
(Phalanger matabiru) , Southern Common Cuscus (Phalanger mimicus) etc..
These animal is protected by the
constitution, but many also maintained. Cuscus is one of the protected animals
in Indonesia based on PP. No. 7 Year 1999 on the Preservation of Flora and
Fauna.But in the reality,many of this cute animal are traded and freely
maintained.
