In the forests of several areas of the south Pacific, including Malaysia, New Guinea and Australia, one of the most colorful and lovable little animals in the world makes its home.
There are many varieties of the pretty little cuscus (sometimes called a phalanger). Some have white fur, others have yellow, black, or even grayish-green. Some are of mixed colors, such as the whitish-gray spotted cuscus, with numerous patches of soft reddish color spread over its coat. In fact, many of them change color several times in their lifetime. Their round eyes, bulging outward a little, may be yellow, orange or red, and their button noses most likely are a bright yellow. All are tidy in their habits and keep their hair in good condition by frequently combing it with their sharp claws.
The cuscus is part of the animal family known as marsupials, a mother usually giving birth to one or two very small, underdeveloped babies each year and carrying them in her pouch for several months before they are able to hop out and make their own way around.
These are good climbers and spend most of their lives in tall trees where they hunt smaller animals, insects, lizards, small bird eggs and fruit, adding portions of -green leaves to help their digestion. 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 as though enjoying the scenery, but actually sleeping, for they do much of their hunting at night.
The Creator has provided them with strong claws, their hind feet also having fleshy pads to make them more surefooted on bare branches. He has further provided for their safety with a prehensile tail, which they can wrap around a nearby tree limb for extra security.
The cuscuses have few enemies, but if threatened will lash out with their forepaws while barking and snarling. Actually they are difficult for animals or birds to kill, because their fur, which grows so thickly that it covers their ears, 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, odd-looking and handsome, and with each one we could think of the words of the Psalm writer: "0 Lord, how manifold [numerous] are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." Psa. 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).
It should be our joy also to follow the reminder, "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Psa. 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!