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Phalangeriformes
Six species of phalangeriformes, clockwise from the top left: greater glider (Petauroides volans), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps), common spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus), feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus), and common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Phalangeriformes is a suborder of Australian marsupial mammals. Members of this suborder are called phalangeriformes, and include possums, gliders, and cuscus. Phalangeriformes is one of three suborders that form the order Diprotodontia, the largest extant order of marsupials. They are found in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia, generally in forests, though some species can also be found in shrublands and grasslands. They range in size from the Tasmanian pygmy possum, at 5 cm (2 in) plus a 6 cm (2 in) tail, to the cuscus of the genus Spilocuscus, at 64 cm (25 in) plus a 59 cm (23 in) tail. Phalangeriformes primarily eat leaves, fruit, and insects, though many are omnivorous and will eat small vertebrates or other plant material.

Many phalangeriformes do not have population estimates, but the ones that do range from 50 mature individuals to 75,000. No species have gone extinct in modern times, but four are categorized as endangered: Tate's triok, mahogany glider, Gebe cuscus, and Woodlark cuscus. A further eight species are categorized as critically endangered: Leadbeater's possum, northern glider, western ringtail possum, mountain pygmy possum, Talaud bear cuscus, Telefomin cuscus, black-spotted cuscus, and blue-eyed spotted cuscus.

The sixty-four extant species of Phalangeriformes are divided into six families grouped into two superfamilies: Petauroidea, containing two species in two genera in the family Acrobatidae, eleven in three genera in the family Petauridae, eighteen in six genera in the family Pseudocheiridae, and a single species in the family Tarsipedidae; and Phalangeroidea, containing five species in two genera in the family Burramyidae and twenty-seven in five genera in the family Phalangeridae. Several extinct Phalangeriformes species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.

Conventions

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the phalangeriformes's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.

Classification

The suborder Phalangeriformes consists of six extant families grouped into two superfamilies: Acrobatidae, Petauridae, Pseudocheiridae, and Tarsipedidae in the superfamily Petauroidea, and Burramyidae and Phalangeridae in the superfamily Phalangeroidea. Acrobatidae contains two species in two genera, Petauridae contains eleven species in three genera, Pseudocheiridae contains eighteen species in six genera, Tarsipedidae contains a single species, Burramyidae contains five species in two genera, and Phalangeridae contains twenty-seven species in five genera.

Superfamily Petauroidea

  • Family Acrobatidae
    • Genus Acrobates (feathertail glider): one species
    • Genus Distoechurus (feather-tailed possum): one species
  • Family Petauridae
    • Genus Dactylopsila (trioks): four species
    • Genus Gymnobelideus (Leadbeater's possum): one species
    • Genus Petaurus (gliders): six species
  • Family Pseudocheiridae
    • Subfamily Hemibelideinae
      • Genus Hemibelideus (lemuroid ringtail possum): one species
      • Genus Petauroides (southern greater glider): one species
    • Subfamily Pseudocheirinae
      • Genus Petropseudes (rock-haunting ringtail possum): one species
      • Genus Pseudocheirus (ringtail possums): two species
      • Genus Pseudochirulus (ringtail possums): eight species
    • Subfamily Pseudochiropsinae
      • Genus Pseudochirops (ringtail possums): five species
  • Family Tarsipedidae
    • Genus Tarsipes (honey possum): one species

Superfamily Phalangeroidea

  • Family Burramyidae
    • Genus Burramys (mountain pygmy possum): one species
    • Genus Cercartetus (pygmy possums): four species
  • Family Phalangeridae
    • Subfamily Ailuropinae
      • Genus Ailurops (bear cuscus): two species
    • Subfamily Phalangerinae
      • Genus Phalanger (cuscus): thirteen species
      • Genus Spilocuscus (spotted cuscus): five species
      • Genus Strigocuscus (cuscus): two species
      • Genus Trichosurus (brushtail possums): four species
      • Genus Wyulda (scaly-tailed possum): one species
Phalangeriformes  
Phalangeroidea  
Burramyidae  

Burramys



Cercartetus



Phalangeridae  


Trichosurus



Wyulda





Ailurops



Phalanger



Spilocuscus



Strigocuscus





Petauroidea  


Acrobatidae  

Acrobates



Distoechurus







Tarsipedidae  

Tarsipes




Petauridae  

Petaurus




Dactylopsila



Gymnobelideus




Pseudocheiridae  


Petropseudes



Pseudochirops






Hemibelideus



Petauroides





Pseudocheirus



Pseudochirulus









Phalangeriformes

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.

Superfamily Petauroidea

Acrobatidae

Genus AcrobatesDesmarest, 1818 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Feathertail glider

Brown glider

A. pygmaeus
(Shaw, 1793)
Eastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 7–8 cm (3 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Honeydew and arthropods
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Genus DistoechurusPeters, 1874 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Feather-tailed possum

Drawing of brown gliders

D. pennatus
(Peters, 1874)
New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 6–12 cm (2–5 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Nectar, pollen, insects, and soft fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Petauridae

Genus DactylopsilaGray, 1858 – four species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Great-tailed triok

Brown triok

D. megalura
Rothschild & Dollman, 1932
Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 17–32 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 16–40 cm (6–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Insects, fruit, and leaves
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Long-fingered triok


D. palpator
H. Milne-Edwards, 1888
Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 17–32 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 16–40 cm (6–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Insects, fruit, and leaves
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Striped possum

Black and white triok

D. trivirgata
Gray, 1858

New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 17–32 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 16–40 cm (6–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Ants, termites, and larvae
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Tate's triok

Brown and white triok

D. tatei
Laurie, 1952
Eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 17–32 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 16–40 cm (6–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Insects, fruit, and leaves
 EN 


Unknown Unknown

Genus GymnobelideusMcCoy, 1867 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Leadbeater's possum

Brown possum

G. leadbeateri
McCoy, 1867
Southern Australia
Map of range
Size: 15–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 14–18 cm (6–7 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Insects, spiders, and sap
 CR 


1,100–11,000 Population declining

Genus PetaurusShaw, 1791 – six species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Biak glider


P. biacensis
Ulmer, 1940
Northwestern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 12–32 cm (5–13 in) long, plus 15–48 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Sap, flowers, nectar, pollen, insects, arachnids, and small vertebrates
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Mahogany glider

Gray glider

P. gracilis
(Vis, 1883)
Northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 12–32 cm (5–13 in) long, plus 15–48 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Nectar and pollen, as well as insects
 EN 


Unknown Population declining

Northern glider


P. abidi
Ziegler, 1981
Northern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 12–32 cm (5–13 in) long, plus 15–48 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Sap, flowers, nectar, pollen, insects, arachnids, and small vertebrates
 CR 


Unknown Population declining

Squirrel glider

Gray glider

P. norfolcensis
(Kerr, 1792)
Eastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 12–32 cm (5–13 in) long, plus 15–48 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Insects, gum, sap, nectar, pollen, and seeds
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Sugar glider

Gray glider

P. breviceps
Waterhouse, 1839

New Guinea and northern, eastern, and southern Australia (introduced in pink)
Map of range
Size: 12–32 cm (5–13 in) long, plus 15–48 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna

Diet: Sap, pollen, nectar, insects, arachnids, and small vertebrates
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Yellow-bellied glider

Drawing of brown glider

P. australis
Shaw, 1791

Eastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 27–30 cm (11–12 in) long, plus 42–48 cm (17–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Nectar, pollen, and sap, as well as insects, arachnids, grubs, and small vertebrates
 NT 


50,000–500,000 Population declining

Pseudocheiridae

Subfamily Hemibelideinae
Genus HemibelideusCollett, 1884 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Lemuroid ringtail possum

Drawing of brown possum

H. lemuroides
(Collett, 1884)
Northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 30–38 cm (12–15 in) long, plus 30–35 cm (12–14 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves
 NT 


Unknown Population steady

Genus PetauroidesThomas, 1888 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Southern greater glider

Drawing of gray glider

P. volans
(Kerr, 1792)

Southeastern Australia Size: 30–48 cm (12–19 in) long, plus 45–55 cm (18–22 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Eucalyptus leaves
 VU 


50,000–500,000 Population declining

Subfamily Pseudocheirinae
Genus PetropseudesThomas, 1923 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Rock-haunting ringtail possum

Brown possum

P. dahli
(Collett, 1895)
Northern Australia
Map of range
Size: 33–38 cm (13–15 in) long, plus 20–27 cm (8–11 in) tail

Habitat: Rocky areas

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers, as well as termites
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Genus PseudocheirusOgilby, 1837 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Common ringtail possum

Brown possum

P. peregrinus
(Boddaert, 1785)

Eastern and southern Australia
Map of range
Size: 30–35 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 30–35 cm (12–14 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna

Diet: Eucalyptus leaves, as well as flowers, buds, nectar, and fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Western ringtail possum

Brown possum

P. occidentalis
(Thomas, 1888)
Southwestern Australia
Map of range
Size: 28–40 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 28–36 cm (11–14 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit, flowers, bark, and sap
 CR 


3,400 Population declining

Genus PseudochirulusMatschie, 1915 – eight species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Daintree River ringtail possum

Brown possum

P. cinereus
Tate, 1945
Northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 NT 


20,000–100,000 Population declining

Herbert River ringtail possum

Drawing of brown possum

P. herbertensis
(Collett, 1884)
Northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 30–40 cm (12–16 in) long, plus 29–47 cm (11–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Lowland ringtail possum


P. canescens
(Waterhouse, 1846)

New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Masked ringtail possum


P. larvatus
(Rothschild, 1911)
Eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Painted ringtail possum

Drawing of brown possum

P. forbesi
(Thomas, 1887)
Eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Pygmy ringtail possum


P. mayeri
(Rothschild & Dollman, 1932)
Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, ferns, pollen, fungus, moss, and lichens
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Vogelkop ringtail possum


P. schlegeli
(Jentink, 1884)
Western New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 VU 


Unknown Population declining

Weyland ringtail possum


P. caroli
Thomas, 1921

Western New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 16–40 cm (6–16 in) long, plus 15–47 cm (6–19 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Subfamily Pseudochiropsinae
Genus PseudochiropsMatschie, 1915 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Coppery ringtail possum


P. cupreus
(Thomas, 1897)
Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 28–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 25–38 cm (10–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and grassland

Diet: Leaves as well as fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

D'Albertis's ringtail possum

Drawing of brown possum

P. albertisii
(Peters, 1874)

Western and northern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 28–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 25–38 cm (10–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves as well as fruit
 NT 


Unknown Population declining

Green ringtail possum

Brown possum

P. archeri
(Collett, 1884)
Northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 28–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 25–38 cm (10–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, as well as figs
 NT 


100,000 Population declining

Plush-coated ringtail possum

Drawing of brown possum

P. corinnae
(Thomas, 1897)

Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 28–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 25–38 cm (10–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves as well as fruit
 NT 


Unknown Population declining

Reclusive ringtail possum


P. coronatus
(Thomas, 1897)
Western New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 28–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 25–38 cm (10–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves as well as fruit
 VU 


Unknown Population declining

Tarsipedidae

Genus TarsipesGervais & Verreaux, 1842 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Honey possum

Drawing of brown possums

T. rostratus
Gervais & Verreaux, 1842
Southwestern Australia
Map of range
Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail

Habitat: Shrubland

Diet: Pollen and nectar
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Superfamily Phalangeroidea

Burramyidae

Genus BurramysBroom, 1895 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Mountain pygmy possum

Brown possum

B. parvus
Broom, 1896
Southeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 13–16 cm (5–6 in) tail

Habitat: Shrubland

Diet: Insects, spiders, seeds, and berries
 CR 


Unknown Population declining

Genus CercartetusGloger, 1841 – four species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Eastern pygmy possum

Drawing of brown possum

C. nanus
(Desmarest, 1818)

Southeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and shrubland

Diet: Nectar, pollen, and insects
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Long-tailed pygmy possum

Brown possum

C. caudatus
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1877)

New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and shrubland

Diet: Nectar, insects, and pollen
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Tasmanian pygmy possum

Brown possum

C. lepidus
Thomas, 1888
Southern Australia
Map of range
Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and shrubland

Diet: Nectar, pollen, invertebrates, and small lizards
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Western pygmy possum

Brown possum

C. concinnus
(Gould, 1845)

Southern and southwestern Australia
Map of range
Size: 6–11 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–11 cm (2–4 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and shrubland

Diet: Nectar, insects, and small lizards
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Phalangeridae

Subfamily Ailuropinae
Genus AiluropsWagler, 1830 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Sulawesi bear cuscus

Brown cuscus

A. ursinus
(Temminck, 1824)

Sulawesi island in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 56–54 cm (22–21 in) long, plus 61–58 cm (24–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit
 VU 


Unknown Population declining

Talaud bear cuscus

Drawing of brown cuscus

A. melanotis
(Thomas, 1898)
Salibabu Island in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 56–54 cm (22–21 in) long, plus 61–58 cm (24–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves as well as fruit
 CR 


Unknown Population declining

Subfamily Phalangerinae
Genus PhalangerStorr, 1780 – thirteen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Blue-eyed cuscus


P. matabiru
Flannery & Boeadi, 1995
Ternate and Tidore islands in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 VU 


Unknown Population steady

Eastern common cuscus


P. intercastellanus
Thomas, 1895
Eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Gebe cuscus


P. alexandrae
Flannery & Boeadi, 1995
Gebe island in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 EN 


Unknown Population declining

Ground cuscus

Black cuscus

P. gymnotis
(Peters & Doria, 1875)

New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit, eggs, seeds, and leaves
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Mountain cuscus


P. carmelitae
Thomas, 1898

Central and eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Northern common cuscus

Brown cuscus

P. orientalis
(Pallas, 1766)

New Guinea and nearby islands (introduced in red)
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, tree seeds, fruit, buds and flowers
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Ornate cuscus

Drawing of brown cuscus

P. ornatus
(Gray, 1860)
North Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Rothschild's cuscus


P. rothschildi
Thomas, 1898
Obi Islands in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Silky cuscus


P. sericeus
Thomas, 1907

Central and eastern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Unknown

Southern common cuscus

Brown cuscus

P. mimicus
Pallas, 1766

Southern New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Stein's cuscus

Black and white cuscus

P. vestitus
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1877)
Scattered New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Telefomin cuscus


P. matanim
Flannery, 1987
Central New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as insects, small vertebrates, and eggs
 CR 


40 Unknown

Woodlark cuscus


P. lullulae
Thomas, 1896
Madau and Woodlark Island east of New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 32–60 cm (13–24 in) long, plus 24–61 cm (9–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Vines
 EN 


Unknown Population steady

Genus SpilocuscusGray, 1861 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Admiralty Island cuscus


S. kraemeri
(Schwarz, 1910)
Admiralty Islands north of New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 33–64 cm (13–25 in) long, plus 31–59 cm (12–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, coconuts, and other fruit
 NT 


Unknown Population declining

Black-spotted cuscus

Brown, black, and white cuscus

S. rufoniger
(Zimara, 1937)
Northern New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 33–64 cm (13–25 in) long, plus 31–59 cm (12–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Believed to be omnivorous
 CR 


Unknown Population declining

Blue-eyed spotted cuscus


S. wilsoni
Helgen & Flannery, 2004
Islands northwest of New Guinea
Map of range
Size: 33–64 cm (13–25 in) long, plus 31–59 cm (12–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, coconuts, and other fruit
 CR 


Unknown Population declining

Common spotted cuscus

Brown and white cuscus

S. maculatus
(Geoffroy, 1803)

New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 48–56 cm (19–22 in) long, plus 31–33 cm (12–13 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, fruit, insects, and small vertebrates
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Waigeou cuscus

Black and white cuscus

S. papuensis
(Desmarest, 1822)
Waigeo in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 33–64 cm (13–25 in) long, plus 31–59 cm (12–23 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, coconuts, and other fruit
 VU 


Unknown Unknown

Genus StrigocuscusGray, 1861 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Banggai cuscus

Drawing of brown cuscus

S. pelengensis
(Tate, 1945)

Peleng and Sula Islands in eastern Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 35–37 cm (14–15 in) long, plus 24–30 cm (9–12 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Sulawesi dwarf cuscus

Drawing of brown cuscus

S. celebensis
(Gray, 1858)

Sulawesi in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 29–38 cm (11–15 in) long, plus 27–38 cm (11–15 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Fruit, flowers, and leaves
 NT 


Unknown Population declining

Genus TrichosurusLesson, 1828 – four species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Common brushtail possum

Gray possum

T. vulpecula
(Kerr, 1792)
Scattered Australia
Map of range
Size: 32–58 cm (13–23 in) long, plus 24–35 cm (9–14 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna

Diet: Leaves, shoots, and flowers
 LC 


Unknown Population declining

Coppery brushtail possum

Brown possum

T. johnstonii
(Ramsay, 1888)
Northeastern Australia Size: 40–49 cm (16–19 in) long, plus 30–40 cm (12–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves and fruit
 NE 


Unknown Unknown

Mountain brushtail possum

Gray possum

T. cunninghami
Lindenmayer, Dubach & Viggers, 2002
Southeastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 32–58 cm (13–23 in) long, plus 24–40 cm (9–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, fungi, lichen, buds, and fruit, as well as bark
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Short-eared possum

Drawing of gray possums

T. caninus
(Ogilby, 1836)
Eastern Australia
Map of range
Size: 32–58 cm (13–23 in) long, plus 24–40 cm (9–16 in) tail

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Leaves, fruit, buds, fungi, bark, and insects
 LC 


Unknown Population steady

Genus WyuldaAlexander, 1918 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Scaly-tailed possum

Drawing of brown possum

W. squamicaudata
Alexander, 1918
Northwestern Australia
Map of range
Size: 29–47 cm (11–19 in) long, plus 25–33 cm (10–13 in) tail

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and rocky areas

Diet: Leaves
 NT 


5,000–10,000 Population declining

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