Write a message about the animal kuzu. Fox kuzu or fox-shaped possum (lat. Trichosurus vulpecula). Pictured animal Tasmanian devil
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Kuzu? or, as they are also called, brushtails are mammals from the couscous or possum family, whose habitat covers almost the entire mainland of Australia and adjacent islands. In the 19th century, kuzu was introduced to New Zealand. Other names for this animal used in zoology are brush-tailed possums and brush-tailed couscous.
Types and habitat of kuzu
Kuzu? - it's pretty big marsupial, whose body length varies, depending on the species, from 32 cm to 60 cm, with a weight of up to 5 kg. It has a tenacious and long fluffy tail, which is able to firmly hold on to tree branches. On average, the tail length of a kuzu reaches 35 cm, but zoologists have described specimens of a kuzu with a tail length of up to 45 cm. In color - from grayish-white and grayish-silver to black, from ocher-yellow to brownish-brown with reddish tan. The fur of the lower part of the neck and underbelly is always lighter. There are albinos. In general, features colors colors depend on the specific species.
Outwardly, the kuzu looks like a hybrid of a squirrel and a fox. The elegance of a squirrel is combined with appearance foxes - a sharp, fox-like muzzle, large erect ears on the sides of the head of a pointed or triangular shape, long fluffy tail, similar to squirrel five-fingered front legs, actively used both for climbing trees and for holding food. Among other features of the appearance of the kuzu, the following can be distinguished: a short neck with an elongated head, round rather large eyes, noticeably forked upper lip, pink nose of an opposum, strong sickle-shaped claws on paws with bare soles. And the most main feature- the presence of a female kuzu, the so-called bag, consisting of a low fold of skin on the abdomen.
Kuzu males are much larger than females, which makes it easy to visually determine the sex of the animal.
Currently, five types of brushtail are distinguished in nature:
- fox kuzu(Trichosurus vulpecula) or kuzu-fox - lives throughout Australia, except for the north of the mainland, as well as in Tasmania. As a promising fur product, in 1833 it was introduced by the British to the islands of New Zealand, where, along with the dogs and cats brought there, it created certain problems for survival. local fauna.
- Northern kuzu (Trichosurus arnhemensis), mainly distributed in the north of the state Western Australia in the Kimberley region.
- Canine kuzu (Trichosurus caninus) prefers humid tropical and sub rainforests coastal regions in northern and eastern Australia.
- Johnston's body (Trichosurus johnstonii) inhabits the rainforests of the Australian state of Queensland.
- Cunningham's kuzu (Trichosurus cunninghamii) is found in the Australian Alps of Victoria.
Behavior, eating habits and lifestyle of Kuzu
- Kuzu food. The natural habitat of kuzu is determined by the specifics of their lifestyle and preferences in the choice of food. Kuzu feeds mainly on plant foods: leaves and young shoots of trees and shrubs, plant fruits, flowers and tree bark. That is why the greatest distribution of the kuzu population is observed in rich in edible vegetation. moist forests the Australian continent and the islands surrounding the mainland. Nevertheless, this animal can also be found in fairly treeless mountainous regions and even semi-deserts of Australia. In such places that are poor in plant food, the diet of the kuzu largely consists of insects and their larvae, small amphibians, eggs and chicks of small birds that it can reach.
- Animal behavior and lifestyle. Despite the fact that the kuzu is excellent at climbing trees, in its unhurried regularity of movements it is more like a leisurely sloth than a quick squirrel. Free movement through the trees is facilitated not only by the sharp sickle-like claws of the animal, but also by the tail, with the help of which the body always firmly fixes its position on the branch.
The active phase of the life of the kuzu begins with the onset of darkness. In search of food, the brushtail not only examines nearby trees, but is also able to travel the earth for a long time, inspecting even human dwellings without undue modesty. I must say that Kuzu are quite calm about close proximity to humans and are easily tamed. And although in wild nature they prefer a solitary lifestyle, and males diligently mark their territory to brave strangers, in places that come into contact with people's dwellings, kuzu often form numerous and rather restless colonies, literally occupying the territory of gardens and parks.
Kuzu breeding
The female kuzu brings a single cub once a year. This happens, as a rule, in September-November or March-May (the mating season of the brushtail usually occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn, but in colony conditions, females give birth more often). Pregnancy lasts 15–18 days, after which, as a rule, only one cub is born (very rarely two). Up to 9–11 months, this cub is fed with mother's milk, spending up to 6 months directly in the bag, and later simply moving on the mother's back. Having reached the age of 18–36 months, the kuzu cub still lives near its mother and only at the 37th month (and this is already the fourth year of existence!!!) of its age goes in search of its own territory. Over time, history repeats itself.
Enemies of Kuzu
In nature natural enemies kuzu are mainly predator birds. Among them are the Australian wedge-tailed eagle and the New Zealand kea parrot, famous for its meat-eating inclinations, some species of hawks and falcons. In mountainous and semi-desert areas, these are monitor lizards. And, of course, the man main pest all times and peoples. Indigenous tribes have long exterminated kuzu for meat and fur, despite the specific smell emanating from them.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the kuzu population in Australia suffered greatly from humans, due to the excellent quality and original color of their fur. Millions of kuzu skins obtained by hunters were supplied to Europe, like the fur of the “Australian opossum” or “Adelaide chinchilla”, being in great demand among fashionistas of that time. Currently, all types of kuzu are under state protection.
Taming the body is not difficult. A tamed animal behaves meekly and peacefully without trying to bite or scratch. There are also no issues with feeding. The problem of keeping is only that a rather specific smell comes from the animal, which is unpleasant for the owner of the animal. That is why kuzu is extremely rare at home. Not every owner is able to put up with the smell of Australian kuzu in their own home.
What the fox kuzu and other animals of Australia look like, see this video:
Spreading
Kuzu are distributed throughout Australia, including being found on nearby islands, such as in Tasmania. They have also been introduced into New Zealand, where they pose a threat to local fauna, most notably the New Zealand flightless kiwi.
Appearance
The body length of the body is from 32 to 60 cm, and the tail reaches a length of up to 35 cm. Weight - up to 5 kg. The fur is soft, silky; the color varies from grayish white to brown and black. The ears are triangular and significantly larger than those of couscous. The tail is densely pubescent, tenacious.
Lifestyle
Kuzu are arboreal climbers. Them habitat habitats are forests and other wooded areas, although they are also found in nearly treeless areas and semi-deserts. In cities, they live in parks and gardens. In the daytime, they hide in hollow trees, as well as in attics and sheds, and at night they go out in search of food, often descending to the ground. They lead, as a rule, a solitary lifestyle, marking their territory.
Nutrition
Kuzu mainly feed on plant foods: leaves, fruits, flowers. They sometimes eat insects and small vertebrates, such as bird chicks.
reproduction
The offspring of females Kuzu bring one or two times a year. Cubs are born from 16 to 18 days, and, as a rule, one cub is born, very rarely - two. The animal's pouch is well developed, there are two nipples. After four to seven months, the cub leaves the pouch, and six to ten months later, it is weaned. Sexual maturity occurs in the second or third year of life. Life expectancy - 10-15 years.
Kinds
There are five species in the genus Kuzu:
- Fox Kuzu ( Trichosurus vulpecula) is distributed throughout almost all of Australia with the exception of the northern part of the mainland. It has also been introduced to New Zealand.
- doggy kuzu ( Trichosurus caninus) lives in the coastal regions of northeastern Australia.
- northern kuzu ( Trichosurus arnhemensis listen)) is found in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.
- Trichosurus cunninghamii lives in the mountainous regions of the state
Fox kuzu is an animal belonging to the couscous family. Included in the genus Kuzu and forms a species that lives in the eastern and northern regions Australia, as well as in some western regions continent. Representatives of the species also live in Tasmania and on such coastal islands as Kangaroo and Barrow. These animals, starting in 1840, began to be imported to New Zealand. Currently, there are no less of them there than in Australia.
The muzzle is pointed, the ears are long and pointed. The tail is fluffy and long. The coat is thick, its color, depending on the subspecies, is silver-gray, brown, black, reddish or black. The tail is brown or black. There are dark spots on the muzzle. The body length varies from 30 to 56 cm with a tail length of 22-39 cm. The animals weigh from 1.2 to 4.5 kg. Males are larger than females. Females have well developed pouches for their young. There are glands on the chest that secrete a reddish secretion. She marks the territory.
Reproduction and lifespan
Animals can breed throughout the year. The birth rate peaks in September-November, and also in March-May in some areas. Pregnancy lasts 16-18 days. There are 1 cub in the litter. Its length is 1.5 cm, and its weight is 2 g. The baby climbs into the mother's bag without assistance and sticks to the nipple. It stays in the bag for 4-5 months. Then it stays in the den or sits on its mother's back for up to 7-9 months.
Females become sexually mature at the age of 1 year, in males puberty occurs at 2 years. Females have more a high degree survival. Only 25% of the young live up to a year. In adulthood, 20% die per year. In the wild, the fox kuzu lives for 13 years. In captivity, life expectancy is about 15 years.
Behavior and nutrition
Representatives of the species live on trees, lead a solitary lifestyle, and are active at night. They mark their territories with aromatic secretions and urine. Resting places are arranged in hollows of trees, caves, they can even use the roofs of houses for these purposes. In relation to each other, they do not show obvious aggression. They just stand and look at each other with their ears up. The diet consists mainly of plant foods. Its basis is eucalyptus leaves. Fruits, shoots, seeds are also eaten. eaten and animal food. These are insects, small vertebrates, bird eggs.
conservation status
In general, fox kuzu are considered pests. They damage fruit trees, flowers, wooden buildings. In past centuries, animals were destroyed because of their valuable fur. It was exported to Europe and America. Nowadays this species protected by law. If people catch these animals on the roofs of their houses, they must release them within 24 hours. But in the state of Victoria, they are allowed to be taken to a veterinarian for euthanasia.
There are no restrictions on hunting in New Zealand. Animals are shot by the thousands. However, the abundance of the species remains stable. New Zealand Department of Conservation environment controls the population with highly toxic baits.
Fox kuzu, or brushtail, or fox possum, or common kuzu fox (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a mammal of the couscous family.
The fox kuzu lives in Australia and Tasmania and is one of the most common marsupials in Australia. Young animals are a light ash-gray color mixed with black, they are colored below, like old individuals. In addition, there are many individual deviations. Like relatives, he lives exclusively in forests in trees and is purely nocturnal; appears from its shelter only 1-2 hours after sunset.
Although he is excellent at climbing trees and his body is excellently adapted for such movement, nevertheless, the kuzu is a lazy and slow creature compared to other animals of a similar structure, especially squirrels. The prehensile tail plays an important role in climbing; the fox kuzu does not make a single movement without first being firmly strengthened with the help of this organ necessary for it. On the ground he is said to be even slower than in the trees.
The body of the kuzu is elongated, the neck is short and thin, the head is elongated, the muzzle is short and pointed, the upper lip is deeply split. Body length is from 32 to 58 cm, tail length is from 24 to 40 cm, weight is from 1.2 to 4.5 kg.
From others characteristic features it is necessary to indicate: erect, pointed ears of medium size, located on the sides of the head; eyes with an oblong pupil; bare soles; flat nails on the big toes of the hind feet and strongly compressed, sickle-shaped nails on the remaining toes; incomplete, consisting only of a low skin fold, the bag in the female; finally, thick and soft fur, consisting of a silky undercoat and a rather short stiff awn. The color of the upper side is brownish-gray with a reddish-roan tinge, which noticeably predominates in places; the underside of the body is light hazel-yellow; Bottom part neck and chest for the most part rusty-red; the back, tail and whiskers are black, the ears are bare inside, covered on the outside with light, hazel-yellow hair, on the inner edge with black-brown hair.
Its food consists for the most part of plant matter; however, he never slights a small bird or other weak vertebrate.
The mating season has no clear boundaries, lasts all year round. In New Zealand, however, according to Crowley (1973) there is a distinct breeding season from April to July. Childbearing occurs in September-November and in March-May. Pregnancy lasts 16-18 days. 1 cub is born, which lives with its mother up to 9 months.
female fox kuzu long time carries the cub in a pouch, and later on its back, until the young are old enough to do without maternal care.
Most zoological gardens have several specimens. They tame them without difficulty. Captive animals are meek and peaceful, do not try to bite, but are so stupid, indifferent and lazy that they give little pleasure. In general, life expectancy is up to 13 years.
The natural enemies of the fox kuzu are birds of prey and monitor lizards. Formerly people these animals were destroyed in significant volumes because of their valuable fur. The natives pursue this animal and consider its meat, despite its extremely nasty smell, to be a tidbit and they also know how to in various ways use his skin. They wear a cape made of kuzu fur with the same pleasure as we wear a sable or mustel coat.
It was exported from Australia under the name " Australian opossum or "Adelaide chinchilla". In 1906 alone, 4 million fox skins were sold at the fur markets in New York and London. Today this species is protected.
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animals
Type: Chordates
Class: Mammals
Order: Two-crested marsupials
Family: Couscous
Genus: Kuzu
Species: Fox kuzu (lat. Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792))
Systematics of the genus Kuzu, brush-tailed couscous, brush-tailed possums:
Species: Trichosurus arnhemensis Collett, 1897 = Northern kuzu, or bristle-tailed possum
Species: Trichosurus caninus Ogilby, 1836 = Dog kuzu
Species: Trichosurus cunninghami Lindenmayer et al., 2002 =
Species: Trichosurus johnstonii Ramsay, 1888 =
Species: Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr, 1792 = Fox kuzu, brushtail, or fox possum
Brief description of the genus:
Kuzu, or brush-tailed possums, or brush-tailed couscous, are distributed throughout Australia, as well as on the islands of Bass Strait and Tasmania.
Animals of this genus were brought to New Zealand, where today they pose a great threat to the local fauna. So, for example, they can play a significant role in the disappearance of the kiwi bird, which lives only in New Zealand, since the kuzu eat not only plant foods (leaves, fruits, flowers, buds), but also small mammals (for example, chicks) and eggs.
From external features of this genus, it is worth noting the following: brush-tailed couscous (kuzu) have a strong physique and medium size. The body length of an adult animal is from 32 to 59 cm. The tail is long, grasping, strongly pubescent, naked at the end, covered with hard skin. The length of the tail ranges from 24 to 35 cm. The weight of the animal does not exceed 5 kg. The body is squat. The eyes are large. The claws on the paws are long and strong. The longest finger is the fourth. Wool brush tail possums soft and silky, which is why they are constantly hunted. The color varies from whitish-gray to black or brown. Unlike other members of their family, the brush-tailed couscous have rather large triangular ears.
Sexual dimorphism is manifested: in adult males, the shoulders are red, on the chest there is a specific skin gland, which is more developed in males. In the area of the anus, there is also a specific skin gland that produces a secret with a musky odor. The incisors, especially on the lower jaw, are large, the fangs are small. Kuzu has a diploid chromosome number of 20.
Kuzu are climbing arboreal animals with a well-developed pouch for carrying newborn young. They prefer to settle in wooded area or in dense shrubbery. However, there have been cases when brush-tailed couscous have been seen in treeless and even semi-desert areas. Animals of this kind have not bypassed the city either - they can be found in parks and gardens.
Kuzu are solitary animals with nocturnal activity. They spend the day in hollows, thickets, sheds and attics, and come out at night in search of food.
The brush-tailed couscous breeds 1-2 times a year. There is no special period for mating. In southeastern Australia, females bring babies mainly in May and June.