Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

Talaud bear cuscus

The Talaud bear cuscus is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. It is endemic to Salibabu Island in the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. The species is considered Critically Endangered, with a small population size and heavy hunting pressure on both islands where it occurs, as well as continued habitat degradation.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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Talaud bear cuscus1
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Phalangeridae
Genus: Ailurops
Species:
A. melanotis
Binomial name
Ailurops melanotis
(Thomas, 1898)
Talaud bear cuscus range

The Talaud bear cuscus (Ailurops melanotis) is a species of marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. It is endemic to Salibabu Island in the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.1 The species is considered Critically Endangered, with a small population size and heavy hunting pressure on both islands where it occurs, as well as continued habitat degradation.3

When alarmed, the Talaud bear cuscus emits a strong musk odour.3

References

References

  1. Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. Flannery, T.; Helgen, K. (2016). "Ailurops melanotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T136218A21949526. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136218A21949526.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. "Talaud Bear Cuscus". EDGE of Existence. Archived from the original on 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-04-01.