Sulawesi bear cuscus

Ailurops ursinus

TAXONOMY

Ailurops ursinus (Temminck, 1824), Sulawesi, Indonesia.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

German: Bärenkuskus.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A large and powerful phalanger (up to 22 lb [10 kg]), with long limbs and black fur often tipped with yellow.

DISTRIBUTION

A. u. ursinus: lowlands of Sulawesi, Peleng, and some adjacent smaller islands; and A. u. togianus: Togian Islands.

HABITAT

Lowland and mid-elevation rainforest.

BEHAVIOR

Generally occurs in groups of two to four individuals. It is arboreal, living and feeding in the forest canopy, and may be active at any time, day or night.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Largely folivorous, but flowers and fruits make up a small part of the diet.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Very little is known. Females give birth once or twice a year, and weaning has been reported to occur at eight months.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Possibly threatened; classified as Data Deficient.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

As a very large phalanger, this species is a target of hunting, and is sometimes encountered as food in markets and restaurants in Sulawesi.