# Ground cuscus (*Phalanger gymnotis*) The Ground Cuscus is a cute, furry animal that loves to climb trees and eat leaves. They have big eyes and a fluffy tail, making them look very cuddly! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ground cuscus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ground_Cuscus_cotswoldwildlifepark.jpg&width=800) Photo: Drcwp1, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ground_Cuscus_cotswoldwildlifepark.jpg) ## Appearance The Ground cuscus is a stocky possum relative with short, coarse fur that ranges from reddish-brown to grey-brown, often with a darker stripe down its back. It has small ears, large forward-facing eyes, and a bare, scaly prehensile tail. Its lighter underside provides camouflage in the forest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Diprotodontia - **Family:** Phalangeridae - **Genus:** Phalanger ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, the Ground cuscus spends some time climbing trees! - Ground cuscuses make a range of sounds, including growls, hisses, and whistles! - It's often called a "bear cuscus" because of its stocky build and bear-like face! - Its long, gripping tail is often bare and scaly at the end, perfect for climbing! ## Special abilities - **Night Vision:** Ground cuscus has large, forward-facing eyes that help them see in the dark, making them excellent nocturnal hunters. - **Camouflage Coat:** Ground cuscus has coarse, varied fur colors that help them blend into the forest floor and tree canopy. - **Stealth Mover:** Ground cuscus can move slowly and silently through the undergrowth, which helps them sneak up on unsuspecting prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-55 cm - **Weight:** 1.5-6 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-11 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 13-17 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore munching on fruits, leaves, and various small critters found on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Leaves, Insects, Lizards, Birds' eggs, Small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** New Guinea Harpy Eagle (*Harpyopsis novaeguineae*) — Large raptor that preys on arboreal and terrestrial mammals. - **Eaten by:** Carpet Python (*Morelia spilota*) — Constricts and eats small to medium-sized mammals and birds. - **Eats:** [Fig tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fig-tree) (*Ficus subcordata*) — Consumes the ripe fruits and leaves from this common forest tree. - **Eaten by:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Hunted by local people for food and traditional uses. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe animals from a distance and never try to touch them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ground cuscus? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ground cuscus? 35-55 cm ### How much does Ground cuscus weigh? 1.5-6 kg ### How long does Ground cuscus live? 5-11 years ### How fast can Ground cuscus move? 8 km/h ### What does Ground cuscus eat? An omnivore munching on fruits, leaves, and various small critters found on the forest floor. ### Where is Ground cuscus usually found? Forests ### How does Ground cuscus hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Ground cuscus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-cuscus)