Scaly-tailed possum
Wyulda squamicaudata
TAXONOMY
Wyulda squamicaudata Alexander, 1918, Wyndham, Western Australia, Australia.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
German: Schuppenschwanzopossum, Schuppenschwanzkusu.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Medium-sized; weight 3–6.5 lb (1.4–3 kg); overall color dull gray, with a flattened head, reduced claws, and a wholly naked tail with a white tail-tip and coarse scales.
DISTRIBUTION
Known only from the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia.
HABITAT
Occurs in rocky areas with trees in broken sandstone country.
BEHAVIOR
More terrestrial than most phalangers, and shows a number of specializations for moving both on rocky ground and in trees. One captive individual was reported to hoard small caches of food such as nuts, and to make chattering vocalizations.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Nothing is known.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Females breed once a year, and generally raise only a single young, which is born between March and August. Weaning occurs at about eight months. Mating system is not known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Best considered endangered, although it is currently classified by the IUCN as Lower Risk/Near Threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
| Common name / Scientific name / Other common names | Physical characteristics | Habitat and behavior | Distribution | Diet | Conservation status |
| Silky cuscus Phalanger sericeus | Compact body, small ears, and long, thick fur. Dark brown to black in coloration. Light yellowish ring around eye area. | Only occurs above 4,920 ft (1,500 m) in the central mountains of New Guinea. Found up to the tree line (around 12,800 ft [3,900 m]). Solitary, nocturnal, terrestrial. | New Guinea. | Fruits, leaves, and insects. | Not threatened |
| Woodlark Island cuscus Phalanger lullulae | Pelage is short, woolly, marbled brown, Pelage is short, woolly, marbled brown, ochre, and white dorsal areas. Ventral fur is white, speckled with irregular dark spots. Black facial skin, pale ear flashes at times. Long tail. Head and body length 25–29 in (63.8–71.7 cm), weight 3.3–4.5 lb (1,500–2,050 g). | Primary and secondary lowland dry forest. Breeding season is an extended period. Solitary, completely arboreal, can be very aggressive. | New Guinea. | Two unknown types of vine. | Not threatened |
| Telefomin cuscus Phalanger matanim | Thick and woolly fur, coloration ranges from white, red, or buff to various shades of brown to light gray. Strong build, piercing eyes, naked tail. Head and body length 12.7–24 in (32.5–60 cm), tail length 9–24 in (24–61 cm). | Tropical forests and thick shrub. Terrestrial, nocturnal, and completely arboreal. | Mountains of western Papua New Guinea. | Fruits, leaves, and insects. | Endangered |
| Common cuscus Phalanger orientalis English: Northern common cuscus | Stature is heavy, powerfully built. Thick, woolly, white to medium or dark gray fur in males. Reddish brown to brownish gray in females. Tail is prehensile and naked at end. Large eyes, long snout. Head and body length 13–22 in (35– 55 cm), average weight 4.6 lb (2.1 kg). | Tropical rainforests and thick scrub in the southwest Pacific. Nocturnal, solitary, females care for young. | New Guinea. | Leaves, tree seeds, fruit, buds, and flowers. | Not threatened |
| Moluccan cuscus Phalanger ornatus | Coloration is white to medium or dark gray fur in males. Reddish brown to brownish gray in females. Strong, powerful build. Tail is prehensile and naked at end. Large eyes, long snout. Large eyes, long snout. Head and body length 13–22 in (35–55 cm), average weight 4.6 lb (2.1 kg). | Tropical rainforests and thick scrub in the southwest Pacific. Nocturnal, solitary, females care for young. | Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore, Bacan, and Morotai Islands (Indonesia). | Leaves, tree seeds, fruit, buds, and flowers. | Not threatened |
| Northern brushtail possum Trichosurus arnhemensis | Coloration of coat is gray, can be reddish or brown. Tail is prehensile and covered with hair. Head and body length 13–22 in (35–55 cm), tail length 9.8–15.7 in (25–40 cm), weight 3.3–10 lb (1,500–4,500 g). | Variety of habitats, including residential areas, forests, and areas without trees that offer caves and burrows for shelter. Year-round breeding season, nocturnal, solitary. | Northern Territory of Australia, as well as in the extreme part of Western Australia. | Leaves, buds, and fruits. | Not threatened |
| Mountain brushtail possum Trichosurus caninus | Stocky, coloration is gray to dark gray. Small, rounded ears. Head and body length 29–36 in (74–92 cm), weight 5.5–10 lb (2.5–4.5 kg). | Variety of forest types in its range, although it prefers the wetter forests. Nocturnal, solitary, territorial, females care for young. | Australia, in forests of southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, and eastern Victoria. | Herbivore and fruigivore, but will eat insects. | Not threatened |
