CreatureData

Mountain cuscus vs Telefomin cuscus

The mountain cuscus is heavier: 2.05 kg against 1.55 kg for the telefomin cuscus, about 32% more.

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

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Telefomin cuscus CRCritically Endangered

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

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

  • The mountain cuscus is heavier: 2.05 kg against 1.55 kg for the telefomin cuscus, about 32% more.
  • Both belong to the genus Phalanger, so they are close relatives.
  • The mountain cuscus is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; the telefomin cuscus is Critically Endangered.
  • They are on record for 1 of the same countries (the mountain cuscus for 1 in total, the telefomin 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 cuscusTelefomin cuscus
Scientific namePhalanger carmelitaePhalanger matanim
FamilyPhalangeridaePhalangeridae
OrderDiprotodontiaDiprotodontia
Weight1.84 kg – 2.05 kg1.44 kg – 1.55 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan2.49 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
HabitatNot recordedNot recorded
Conservation statusLeast ConcernCritically Endangered
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: Telefomin cuscusCompare other animals