One of the most colorful and lovable little animals in the world lives in the jungles of several areas of the South Pacific, including Malaysia, New Guinea and Australia.
There are many varieties of the pretty little cuscus (sometimes called a phalanger). Some have white fur; others have honey, black, or even grayish-green fur. Some have mixed colors, such as the whitish-gray spotted cuscus, with numerous patches of a soft reddish color spread over its coat. In fact, many of them change color several times in their lifetime. Their round, bulging eyes may be yellow, orange or red, and their button noses are usually a bright yellow. All are tidy in their habits and keep their woolly fur in good condition by frequently combing it with their sharp claws. They can live to be eleven years old.
The cuscus is part of the mammal family known as marsupials. The mother usually gives birth to one or two very small, underdeveloped babies each year, and she carries them in her pouch for several months before they are able to hop out and make their own way around.
These animals are about the size of house cats and are good climbers. They spend most of their lives in trees where they hunt smaller animals, insects, lizards and small birds’ eggs to eat. They also add vegetable matter, such as fruit and green leaves, to their diet. Very seldom do they come to the ground. They never seem to be in a hurry, and it is not unusual for one to sit all day high in a tree sleeping, for they do most of their hunting at night.
The Creator has given them strong claws and fleshy pads on their hind feet to make them more surefooted on bare branches. He has further provided for their safety with a tail that they can wrap around a nearby branch for extra security.
The cuscus have few enemies, but if they are threatened, they will lash out with their forepaws while barking and snarling. Actually, they are difficult for other animals or birds to kill, because their thick fur fits so loosely on their bodies that an enemy cannot easily get a good hold on them.
We have enjoyed considering many animals, both small and great, gentle and vicious, ugly and handsome, and with each one we could think of the words of Psalm 104:2424O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. (Psalm 104:24): “O Lord, how manifold [numerous] are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.”
It should be our joy also to follow this reminder: “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker” (Psalm 95:66O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. (Psalm 95:6)). Just think of how much we have to thank Him for!
ML-12/16/2012