Quick answer
IUCN status: VulnerableSulawesi bear cuscus at a glance
The Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) is a mammal in the family Phalangeridae. Range in Indonesia: Sulawesi and selected surrounding islands. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sulawesi and nearby islands; detailed distributions need to follow the taxonomic treatment used. Diet: leaves, especially young leaves; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable.
| Scientific name | Ailurops ursinus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kuskus beruang Sulawesi |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Phalangeridae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sulawesi and selected surrounding islands |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Important food | Leaves, especially young leaves |
| Adaptation | Grasping tail |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — leaf-eater (folivore), mainly young leaves · Animal Diversity Web |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sulawesi and nearby islands; detailed distributions need to follow the taxonomic treatment used · Mammal Diversity Database |
In this guide (11)
A cuscus, rather than a bear
Ailurops ursinus is a marsupial in Phalangeridae. The Mammal Diversity Database separates the formerly included A. furvus while noting that more evidence is needed. Bear does not imply kinship with true bears. Check the species concept in older accounts before comparing ranges or animal counts.
Evidence: American Society of Mammalogists — Ailurops ursinus taxonomy ↗
Life supported by the canopy
A grasping tail helps bear cuscuses move through trees. Much of their food consists of young leaves, and resting is a normal part of activity. An animal sitting still on a branch is not automatically ill; never shake a tree to make it move.
Evidence: University of Michigan — Ailurops ursinus biology ↗
Broken canopy restricts options
Research in South Sulawesi emphasises dependence on connected canopy for movement. Separated forest patches can restrict access to food and shelter. Assessing habitat requires attention to connections between patches, rather than only the total area coloured green on a map.
Evidence: Nugraha & Marliana, Oryx 2025 — South Sulawesi habitat suitability ↗
A suitability map is not an animal census
A 2025 Oryx study modelled potentially suitable habitat within a South Sulawesi study area. Its results help identify priorities, but do not count every cuscus on Sulawesi. Consider year, boundaries, and data type when interpreting research maps or numbers.
Evidence: Nugraha & Marliana, Oryx 2025 — South Sulawesi habitat suitability ↗
Observation does not require touching
Researchers identify hunting and forest loss among the pressures. Choose observation of animals in trees without feeding, touching, or asking for them to be brought down. Cuscus also refers to other species; do not automatically transfer their range or status into this profile.
Evidence: Nugraha & Marliana, Oryx 2025 — South Sulawesi habitat suitability ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Sulawesi bear cuscus
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Diprotodontia |
| Family | Phalangeridae |
| Genus | Ailurops |
| Species | Ailurops ursinus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Sulawesi bear cuscus
What is the scientific name of the Sulawesi bear cuscus?
The scientific name of the Sulawesi bear cuscus is Ailurops ursinus, in the family Phalangeridae. In Indonesian it is called Kuskus beruang Sulawesi.
What kind of animal is the Sulawesi bear cuscus?
The Sulawesi bear cuscus is a mammal in the family Phalangeridae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a leaf-eater (folivore), mainly young leaves. It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the Sulawesi bear cuscus live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the Sulawesi bear cuscus in: Sulawesi and selected surrounding islands.
The Sulawesi bear cuscus is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sulawesi and nearby islands; detailed distributions need to follow the taxonomic treatment used. Source: Mammal Diversity Database.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the Sulawesi bear cuscus eat?
Diet of the Sulawesi bear cuscus (important food): leaves, especially young leaves. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
How does the Sulawesi bear cuscus reproduce?
The Sulawesi bear cuscus reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Marsupial: the young are born tiny and undeveloped and continue developing in the mother's pouch. Source: Animal Diversity Web.
What is the scientific classification of the Sulawesi bear cuscus?
Scientific classification of the Sulawesi bear cuscus: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Diprotodontia, family Phalangeridae, genus Ailurops, species Ailurops ursinus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Sulawesi bear cuscus endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the Sulawesi bear cuscus is listed as Vulnerable: it is considered to face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Sulawesi bear cuscus is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- American Society of Mammalogists — Ailurops ursinus taxonomy ↗
- University of Michigan — Ailurops ursinus biology ↗
- Nugraha & Marliana, Oryx 2025 — South Sulawesi habitat suitability ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sulawesi-bear-cuscus/