Dwarf flying couscous

S.V. Nydenko

Representatives of the compounds of silence (Marsupialia) 1 are distributed not only in Australia and on the adjacent islands, but also in South and Central America. But it was in Australia, where, before the person's arrival, placental mammals did not meet at all, we see all the variety of this unfortunate group. Here you can meet the sophisticated mice, the silent rats and the sulese moles, the silent kunits, wolves (though, already exterminated) and badgers. And the diverse species of Kangaroo - a symbol of Australia, - although they are not similar to uncoid mammals, there are almost the same ecological niche here.

At the same time, the overwhelming majority of the residents of the northern hemisphere are known to us, very little is known. Well, who heard, for example, about dwarf flying couscous (Acrobates Pygmaeus), although quite recently (in 1991), this animal was depicted on Australian single-charge coins? This tiny, length of only 6-7 cm and a mass of 11-15 g of a animal of long mustache, huge eyes, skin membrane for planning, passing from wrists to the ankle and, most importantly, a completely amazing tail. Unlike other mammals-gliders, the tail of a dwarf-haired kuskus is compiled, and rigid hairs are located so that they give him a kind of peer. The English name of this animal - FEATHERTAIL GLIDER - is literally translated as a "Perhehvost Planer". There is only a similar feather tail from his closest relative of Percohechurus Pennatus (Distoechurus Pennatus) with New Guinea, as well as a dwarfish reproach (Anomalurus Pussilus) from Western and Central Africa. But this animal is already referred to the detachment of rodents, and not the silent2.

Baby Couscus lives on trees and fearlessly moves along a thin twig, jumping over with one to another. Overcome in the planning flight of 20 m, separating one tree from the other, it is not a problem for him. On the soles of the paws of the Kuskus there are special heap-shaped pads, which provide such a durable grip with the surface that the animal can run along the vertical surface of the glass. However, to keep on the trunk of a wet resinous tree is no less difficult.

When Couscus plans, his tail is tense and slightly raised up - the animal uses it mainly as a steering wheel and brake. Dwarf flying couscous can also spin its tail up into a peculiar tube and transfer from it to the leaf for the construction of the socket.

Dwarf bats are very common in the forests of southeastern Australia, but small sizes and nightlife makes these animals with a difficult object for observations and about their biology is not a lot. Pouring slices in the main nectar or pollen eucalyptus and other trees. Every night they visit many flowers and, it is necessary to believe, are important pollinators in Australian forests. The best places for couscous are those where several types of eucalyptus blooming at different times grow. As an additional feed, the dwarf couscous will not refuse fruits, seeds and petty livery.

Eucalyptus for the Kuskus not only the dining room, but also a safe house. When animals find a suitable hop, they build a nest from the leaf shape there. The appearance of the nest - with a soccer ball, and the cavity inside it is just a fist. Sometimes in one nest can live up to 16 couscous, but usually their groups consist of 3-5 individuals, and some animals prefer loneliness. But stable social groups that are observed in Petaurus Breviceps (Petaurus Breviceps) or Belich Kusks (Gymnobelideus LEADBEATERI), there are no dwarf bats. The only steadily repetitive social unit of this species is a female and her grown daughter. It is assumed that they help each other in the cultivation of young, but is it really so unknown.

Recently, the slices began to arrange nests not only in the hollows, but also in occurring structures, for example, in a strengthened splitting boxes for telephone cables. At the same time, animals are located in free space over the wires and do not cause the slightest damage to telephone lines.

During cold days, dwarf volatile ducts fall into a stitch, which can continue from 1 to 5 days. At this time, their temperature drops so much that it becomes only one degrees above the ambient temperature (but never falls below 2 OS). Such a short-term "hibernation" helps animals save energy reserves at a time when the energy consumption for maintaining high body temperature does not pay off by the amount of feed, which can find the active animal.

Kuskus's female brings 2-4 truly tiny young - their mass does not exceed 18 mg! "Kusksyat" is attached to the maternal nipples located in the bag, and hang on them about two months of age. By this time, they reach a mass of 1.7 g and, although they still remain blind and helpless, become too large for the maternal bag. "Kuskysyat" move into the nest and remain there at the time when the female goes in search of food. Another about 40 days of the young reaches weight 8-8.5 g, cease to eat with maternal milk and begin to conduct an independent life.

Almost simultaneously with this, the female often gives birth to the next brood. The fact is that she mates on the day of previous births, but the development of germs after a few days is suspended. This is the so-called embryonic range, known in a number of mammals. In dwarf couscons, the diapause state is supported by signals that are running from the nipples. When the cubs of the previous brood begin to apply them quite rarely, the embryos will continue their development to be born shortly after their elders will be taken and sisters will become independent. A similar scheme ensures almost continuous reproduction of offspring.

Kuskus.- a silent animal from the family of posses. I have already spoken in the article about that it is not worth confused by this family with American, they don't even consist in remote relationship, although those and others are silent.

As for Posses, Couscous is a rather large animal. The size is slightly smaller, and the color of the kuskus remotely resembles its color (stains also have a "marble pattern"). When a quick look at the animal, you might think that there is no ears. He is already so small that they almost do not look out of thick wool. The tail of the Kuskus is also unusual. Starting from the middle and to the tip itself, it is without wool and covered with small scales. Most likely it is for better capture of branches.

Couscons There are seven or eight species, and they all lead a nightlife. In the afternoon they sleep firmly, fastening somewhere between the branches, and at night they go to the fishery. Move slowly like or Laurie at the same time for loyalty also enough for the branches of the tail. The main food is the leaves that are eating animals in a huge amount. But if on the way, I will meet, say, a lizard, which did not run away in time, or a nest with chicks, he will let me in food without the slightest point of conscience.

Pregnancy in Kusksus lasts only 13 days. Like almost all the silent, the female gives birth to the fruit prematurely, which tears in her bag. Usually, the range is 2-4 babes.

• Omblass · Four-legged - Tetrapoda, class · Mammals - Mammalia

Ordinary couscous, or northern ordinary couscous - Phalanger orientalis.
It is believed that this species takes place with New Guinea, and from there he spread to other places. It is now found on the southwestern islands of the Pacific Ocean - Buru, sacrament, Solomon and Molokki, in the north of New Guinea and on the Bismarck archipelago. Couscus dwells in the forests at an altitude of up to 1600 m above sea level. Sometimes found in the gardens. Like all the slices, has a strong addition, the length of the body is 35-55 cm, the middle mass of 2.1 kg (from 1 kg to 5 kg), males are larger than females. The tail is grabs, on the end naked, covered with sharp bristles. Its length is 28-42 cm. The male tail is white, in females it is white only at the end.

The wool is thick and fluffy, in males it is painted in white or gray (from light to dark) color. Adult females have reddish-brown or brown-gray. White chest. The males on the chest are glands that distinguish the odorious secret, why the breast has a yellowish tint. From the head to the tail on the back there is a dark band. Young reddish-brown slices on the color. The first and second fingers are opposed to the rest, on all fingers twisted claws. Soles feet hairless. The female has four nosses. Eyes are large, long fangs, other teeth are ordinary, fit for grinding. Forello long compared to spotted couscous Spilocuscus Maculatus..

Ordinary couscous is not well understood. His natural enemies - snakes Morelia Amethistina.), Piton. Morelia s. Sheynei., predatory stems Dasyurids., as well as the Belochy Sea Eagle Haliaeetus Leucogaster..
The slices are very slow and leisurely traveling around the tropical forest in search of food, which make up the leaves, seeds of trees, young shoots, flowers, fruits and kidneys. In his diet, unfully bumps of red cedar Toona australis, as well as buds and flowers Carallia Brachiata.. Pieces of black legs were found in the stomach of one animal Castanospermum Australe. In terms of detention, it is powered by leaves and fruits.

Pregnancy at the Kuskus lasts 13 days. Usually females give birth twins, but in litter it can be from 1 to 3 young. One of the twins often dies in dairy age. Birth weight less than 1 g
The reproduction takes place all year round, but the most preferably seasons from June to October, although sometimes young appear in March and December. The female breeds once a year.

Couscus leads a night lifestyle, spending daytime in a woodwood. Feeding, moves through the forest very slowly to the distance of the meter between the stops, his tail worst branches that can withstand the weight of the animal. On the ground, travels extremely rarely slow shocking gait. If necessary, can move quickly, even go to jumps. The slices are kept singing, very aggressive to the neighbors (clashes with spotted couscous were seen Spilocuscus Maculates.).

Niramin - Sep 2nd, 2015

Couscus - rare animals of the Prasevos family from the sort of sophisticated. Live on the tops of trees in the rainforests, so there are very few information about their habits and lifestyles. The populations of these animals are common in the forests of New Guinea, Timor, Australia, on Solomon Islands, Sulawesi.

Naturalists have about 15 types of couscons. The largest representative of this species is the bear couscous, the weight of some instances comes to 7 kg. The smallest is a frown-headed couscous (medo), weighs 13 g and feeds on nectar, pollen, as well as insects that are on a flower wedge.

How does this animal look like? This is an animal with an elongated muzzle, round eyes and small ears, the body is covered with soft wool. A long naked tail helps to move in a thick crown of trees - the animal is enough for the branches, then cling to the rear paws and, turning over, jumps at considerable distances. Aborigines of New Guinea use the meat of a kuskus.

These animals feed with fruit and fruits of plants, leaves and insects. Interestingly, the females are carrying young about 2 weeks, then the kids on the wool make their way into the bag and feed on the mother's milk 240 days, after which they become quite independent.

Hold the slices with a playful character, are easily tamed and therefore received a residence permit as domestic animals.

See photos of sample animals kind of slices:

Bear Couscous.


Hobby-headed Couscus (Medical)

















Photo: Single color couscous

Video: Couscous

From the family of the sample, this is the smallest view. He lives in Australia in the south-east. Length of body 6 - 8cm, tail length 7 - 8cm, weight 13 grams. The extremities of the animal are connected by a lean membrane, and it passes between her knees and elbows. Interesting and tail, it is equal to the length of the body, almost naked and looks like a feather. Hard 8mm long hair on a flattened tail growing on the sides. Silk and soft wool, short. Spring of gray or brown, belly white or yellowish. The eyes are large, dark, ears rounded. Fingers are well developed on the legs, especially 4, it is long, and the claw is the most acute. On the fingers the last phalanges are wide with ribbed leathery pads. With their help, the animal is held on smooth surfaces.

In eucalyptus forests near the rivers, you can see a dwarfed kuskus. Especially well, he passed on the Murray River. These babies lead a woody lifestyle, rarely descend to Earth. Despite its tiny sizes and weight capable of flying 25 meters in a jump. The tail during the flight performed the role of maneuver (turns, brake, equilibrium). That's how it moves from a tree on a tree. Shelters seats on trees. It can be a nest of a spherical shape made of eucalyptus and fern leaves, bark, and may be a hop. Activity manifests at night. The main feed is nectar. By eating nectar, he also pollinates flowers, bringing great benefits. As a supplement to it uses seeds and fruits. He does not occur with food with food, flowers constantly bloom in the forests, replacing each other. In search of foods can climb the trees to a height of 40 meters. For each other, animals are tolerant and can be collected in small groups. There is no certain territory for each animal. When the air temperature drops greatly, the couscous flows into a stupor, lowering the body's own body temperature to 2 degrees Celsius. In such a state, it can stay 5 - 12 days, saving its energy. The main enemies - and.

The reproduction period lasts from July to January. Most of the cubs are born in autumn. The female is born 2 - 4 kids, they are bare and blind. The weight of one about 18 milligrams. Each of them gets to a warm bag, and shesching her, actively drinks milk. In such a reliable shelter, the cubs are asked 8 weeks. Having achieved a weight of 1.7g grams, it becomes closely and they move into the nest. They have not yet opened their eyes, they are also helpless and vulnerable. By 4 months of life, the weight of one kid reaches 8 grams, the fasteners of the young will be eliminated from milk feeding. Now they can conduct an independent life. And the female is ready to bring the second offspring at this time.

Detachment - dvurren

Couscous or Couscous, Kuscsy is no beast, and ordinary cereals, traditionally it is made from barley or wheat, maybe different caliber. Usually it is preparing for a couple. The same name in numerous dishes from this cereals, which are famous for the most useful Mediterranean cuisine.

What is useful couscous

• 376 kcal - exactly so much contains at 100 gr kus-Kusa. And this is not enough. Therefore, suffering from obesity symptoms and trying to hold out on a diet for weight loss, you should not be too fascinated by this highly nutritional product.
• But also categorically refuse him if you are on a diet, no need. Because the croup is low, in comparison with others, the glycemic index contains a lot of slow carbohydrates, which are well saturated, are digested for a long time and contribute to the purification of the body. Usually the best nutritionist doctors advise 4 tablespoons of the finished kuskus for lunch.
• The cereals are easily absorbed, forcing the intestine and freeing it from toxins, improves the digestive function.
• As part kuskusa Many group vitamins, which are important for the nervous system, improve sleep.
• In addition, the cereals are rich in potassium, which means it is useful for the heart and blood vessels, improves the water-salt balance.
• The presence of iron is valuable for those who have anemia.
• In addition, it fills the deficiency of phosphorus, copper and other biologically active substances.

What is the couscous

• Couscous has excellent taste.
• It is usually cooked with vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin, zucchom, eggplant, onions, garlic, tour, carrots.
• Together with vegetables, the legumes are adjacent: chub, black beans, green peas.
• In addition to vegetarian dishes, there are many delicious and useful recipes with meat, bird, fish, seafood.
• There are wonderful options for the preparation of this cereals with medicinal herbs, for example, the greenery of Fennel.
• Green lovers will like kuskus. With a vicinity of carrots, a tour, and edible herbs, which are considered weeds, for example, with the leaves of Altea, a seeker, a spearhead or Kalachik.
• There are absolutely exotic and hard-fulfilled options for Europeans with stuffed rubbing stomach, stuffed with greens and burgulem squid, or by special cutlets, which are called "Shebiata."
• For Laquance and Sweet, there are useful sweet cousin recipes, which is served as a dessert or festive dish. It is preparing with almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and other nuts, grenade grains, grapes without seeds, prunes, driers, dates, raisins and other dried fruits. The dessert dish is added honey, useful for

Dwarf Flying Couscous, he is an acrobat, it is a perilent of flying - a small one of the modern planning mammals, only 10-14 g of weight - twice as smaller. Acrobat itself is a short, relatives of another sample flying, common as a pet - sugar possession - but relatives are quite distant (like cats and mangone among themselves approximately). Flying a dwarf couscous learned independently of other silent legs; His closest fellow - a non-volatile peak Distoechurus Pennatus. With New Guinea (down below) - never flew and does not want, the flying refill from the principle does not have and is most famous for the fact that almost nothing is known about him:

Well, the flying perception of Couscus, it became, flies. Thanks to its size, he does not just plan, but it is able to make enough complex maneuvers in flight and even catch insects on the fly. But the main food is given to him eucalyptus, from under the bark and who fallen leaves of which acrobats collect larvae, lick from the leaves of a medical dawn and collect nectar, which are often descended from trees in undergrowth and high grass.

From the leaves of eucalyptus, bark and ferns acrobats come with spherical nests in a variety of places - from hollow trees and empty bird nests to distribution boxes for telephone cables. At the same time, the slices apparently, like many other small animals, somehow feel the tension and are located in free space over the wires, without causing damage to telephone lines. The appearance of the nest - with a soccer ball, and the cavity inside it is just a fist. There, in case of poor weather, they can dorm for a couple of weeks and do not spoil their mood. In order not to spend in vain energy, the temperature of their bodies can be reduced to 2 ° C at that time.

Permanent couscons were observed by companies in twenty, but constant flocks or families, they apparently do not form, just enough kindly in order for the crowd to feed in one place or sleep together, heating each other. The only steadily repetitive social unit of this species is a female and her grown daughter. It is assumed that they help each other in the cultivation of young, but is it really so unknown. Do not bite.

On the soles of the paws, they have special heart-shaped pads, working as suction cups, thanks to them, the pestilers can move along the vertical smooth surface, even on the glass (although they are still heavy for the glass and are forced to quickly sort out the legs, so as not to crawl down).

The tail for which they received their name is universal and is suitable both as a steering wheel and brakes in flight and for clinging per branches, and being twisted up - for carrying leaves for the construction of the socket.

Every night they attend many flowers and are in the forests of East Australia for some plant species by the main pollinators. The best places for volatile couscos are those where several types of eucalyptuses grow blooming at different times.

The female of Kuskus brings two or four very tiny young - their mass does not exceed 18 mg. Kuskysyat is attached to the maternal nipples located in the bag, and they hang on them, and the milf immediately runs to mate again. However, again fertilized eggs do not develop until their senior brothers live in the bag - the development of embryos is inhibited by a special hormone distinguished when the Kuskushihi's breeding is inhibited. Logging lasts two months, while young people do not reach 1.7 g, becoming too large for the bag. Then they are still blind and helpless, move into the nest and remain there at the time when the female goes in search of food. Embryos begin immediately.

After about 40 days, the weights of 8-8.5 g are achieved, cease to eat with maternal milk and begin to conduct an independent life. Almost simultaneously with this, the female gives birth to the next brood, and everything begins again.

In the Australian Zoo Taron This year, 20 young so-called dwarf flying kuskusa (Acrobates Pygmaeus).

This is the most tiny representative of flying silence mammals, and one of the smallest mammals on our planet.

The dimensions of this cute animal reaches only 6-8 cm in length, and its weight on average is only 10-14.

Recently, in the Toronda Zoo, the offspring immediately appeared at 12 females of a dwarf flyer and now they grown together.

A dwarf flyer is otherwise called a dwarf flying possess or just a dwarf heb. The English name of this animal - FeatherTail Glider - which is literally translated as a "Perhehvost Planer".

It is curious that females of the Kuskus at the last stages of pregnancy stomach becomes so big that they practically cannot move, because kids appear on the light large relative to the size of the mother's body.

In fact, they are born the size of no more rice grain, and in the litter it usually happens from 2 to 4 young. But for such a small animal and these nano-babies are serious severity.

The zoo caretakers are worse to inspect the kids, because they do not want to scare cautious females. The approximate number of the cubs they estimated about two dozen.

A group of dwarf bats lives in the aviary in the exposure of the zoo called "Australian Nightlife Exhibit" (representatives of the Australian nightlife). They mainly live on eucalyptus and feed on insect larvae, as well as sweet juice of plants.

When cooling, the slices fall into a stupor, and the temperature of their bodies can decrease to 2 ° C. Starting can last up to 2 weeks.

The Rob Doctor of Doctor proudly said that Taron's Zoo was the first to be intentionally breeding these tiny couscous in 1988. Over the past 10 years, over 200 young and the largest year has appeared here and this group over the past years.

The giant volatile couscous is one of the largest representatives of the sick-haggles. He lives in the eucalyptus Australian forests on the territory of Queensland in the northeast, to the state of Victoria in the south-east of the continent. Animals choose forests near fresh reservoirs.

They rarely descend to Earth. According to the solid surface, they step unsure and awkwardly. Most of the time they spend on the trees. What are the giant couscous? Is it possible to contain it at home?

Description of the animal

If the dwarf couscous is like a mouse, then a gigantic volatile couscous size with a cat. The average weight of the individual is 1.5 kg. Body length 38 cm. The body is covered with thick fur. In animals a long tail. Its length is more than 55 cm. It performs a grateful function, is for the animal balance. The tail is covered with fur:

• between the elbow joints of the front limbs and the knees of the rear paws there is a volumetric skin fold. It helps the animal to make long parachulating jumps;
• the jump distance is 120 m. To take a jump, the animal is closed on the top of the tree, repelled by the rear limbs, the front paws folds from the chin. At the same time, the side skin is stretched. The first 30 M individuals fly smoothly, at one height. For the entire flight, they can decrease by 12 m;
• color in animals is different. Most often there are souses with brown fur. In the circumference of the ear shells, on the chest and on the poulter the fur is light. Giant volatile dolls look elegant;
• animals with silver, gray fur inhabit live in Australian forests. For home maintenance, breeders brought couscous with white color;
• animals lead a nightlife. They have black convex eyes, good hearing and smell;
• the animals are not social animals, as many individuals of the silence family. They prefer loneliness. At home, you can contain one kuskus without prejudice to his mental health. A person does not need to communicate with him;
• the slices are inactive, sediments. Day they spend in the nest, which they organize in abandoned dupes. At night they wake up, but far from the nest do not go.

For domestic content, the animal will require a separate enclosure or showcase. The slices are quite large animals. They need a lot of space. For games and flights all the place is given.

If households are not ready for such a flying pet, it is better to buy smaller growth, dwarf or medium.

What are food?

If mostly individuals of the family of sampling are powered by insects, worms, fruits, then the giant volatile couscous differs from them with a monotonous diet. He needs only leaves eucalyptus. Animal eats them in large quantities.

At the same time, it remains for a long time in one place. When the leaves ends, the animal rises above on the tree trunk. This nutritional feature is called stained. It complicates the home content of pets. They are mainly bred in zoos.

In nature, a giant volatile couscous is considered a long-liver. He can live 10 years. A special threat to him represents the playful owl. It is most often feeding in insects and small rodents, but sometimes attacks large animals.

In the stomach, a giant kuskus live microorganisms that help to digest a large amount of plant food. Drinking animal rarely. The main moisture is consumed from leaves. Sometimes descends to the reservoir, but spends a little time on the shore. On Earth, the animal feels uncomfortable.

Reproduction

The sexual ripening in the females of a giant fluttering kuskus occurs in 8-9 months. Males begin to grow closer to year. Association is ready for one and a half years. The marriage falls on autumn, March-April. Polygaman animals, but can be monogamous families.

The female is located with the male only during the pairing period. To attract a female sex, musk glands are activated in the male. The smell attracts females.

Pregnancy lasts 13-20 days. After the birth of the offspring, she is looking for a new hollow. The next autumn animals are found again. The female itself cares about the offspring.

The male participation in the education of the cub does not accept. For the marriage season, the female brings 2 litters. In each litter, most often 1 cub.

After birth, he climbs into a bag to the mother, where it is up to 2 months, feeds on milk. It comes from the bag in July-August. His weight is 150 g. After that, the cub is climbing his back to the mother. It still drinks milk, but gradually passes into plant food.

The female takes care of her child up to 6 months of age. By January, the weight of a young kuskus reaches 600 g. He becomes independent, looking for a separate nest. After 2 months, sexual maturation begins in individuals.

Often in the bag in the female are 2 cubs of different ages. In the future, they both transplanted on her back. They are held behind the fur fur claws. The total weight is almost equal to the mass of the body of their mother.

Cuskus's female can bring offspring to the end of life. Samtsov reproductive organs fully function for a long time, up to 7 years.