CreatureData

Mountain cuscus vs Silky cuscus

The mountain cuscus is heavier: 2.05 kg against 2 kg for the silky cuscus, about 2% more.

Mountain cuscus (Phalanger carmelitae)
Mountain cuscus LCLeast Concern
Photo: Heath Warwick · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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Silky cuscus LCLeast Concern

What is the difference between a mountain cuscus and a silky cuscus?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The mountain cuscus is heavier: 2.05 kg against 2 kg for the silky cuscus, about 2% more.
  • Both belong to the genus Phalanger, so they are close relatives.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
  • They are on record for 1 of the same countries (the mountain cuscus for 1 in total, the silky cuscus for 1). Country data is incomplete and can include zoos, so this does not show whether they meet in the wild.

Side by side

Mountain cuscusSilky cuscus
Scientific namePhalanger carmelitaePhalanger sericeus
FamilyPhalangeridaePhalangeridae
OrderDiprotodontiaDiprotodontia
Weight1.84 kg – 2.05 kg2 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan2.49 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
HabitatNot recordedNot recorded
Conservation statusLeast ConcernLeast Concern
Countries recorded11

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Mountain cuscusFull record: Silky cuscusCompare other animals