Animals Papua New Guinea animals. For your information, Papua New Guinea is a country located near West Papua, Indonesia. This country is famous for its diversity of flora and fauna. However, many animals in Papua New Guinea are endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN even already gave a warning label related to the existence of some animals in West Papua New Guinea.
This condition is caused by illegal hunting and the depletion of their natural habitat. So, what animals are living in Papua New Guinea?
Matschie Tree Kangaroo
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the status of Matschie tree kangaroos is threatened. This animal lives in a mountain forest on the Huon Peninsula. Matschie tree kangaroos are endangered because humans hunt them for food. Some also hunt them for their fur as a traditional decoration.
Pig-Nosed Turtle
Besides in Papua New Guinea, pig-nosed turtles also live in South Papua and northern Australia. This animal is labelled endangered. According to IUCN, the population of this turtle decreased up to 57% from 1980 to 2010. This animal with the scientific name Carettochelys Insculpta has special characteristics. For example, they have a shape of a round shell with a jagged edge when they are kids. This jagged edge will disappear when they reach adulthood.
Meanwhile, their front and hind legs have membranes similar to ordinary turtles. As the name implies, the special characteristic of this kind of turtle is the tip of their snout that is similar to pigs’. This is why they are called pig-nosed turtles.
Long Snout Echidna
IUCN stated that the status of long snout echidna is critical, close to endangered. This species of echidna is indeed rare and hard to understand. It is because they prefer to live in isolated areas, in which humans hardly reach them. As the name implies, this echidna has a long snout that they use to look for worms and invertebrates.
Waigeo Cuscus
The next one of animals Papua New Guinea is the Waigeo Cuscus. This mammal has a particular colour compared to other cuscuses. It has black spots with abstract patterns on its body. Its pupils have vertical slits with red eyeballs. Both male and female Waigeo Cuscuses weigh around 2,65 Kg. The length of the male Waigeo cuscus is about 497 mm to 560 mm. While for female ones, it is around 472 mm.
Besides in Papua New Guinea, you can also find this kind of cuscus in Raja Ampat and West Papua. IUCN noted that this animal is endemic in Waigeo Island, though there is no calculation of the total population.
Harpy Eagle New Guinea
The name of this eagle is frequently heard, but not many people see it anymore. It is because the status of Harpy Eagle New Guinea is vulnerable. This raptor has long, strong legs without any fur. Its claws are extremely sharp as well. So, it is not surprising that they can hunt big mammals like possums, tree kangaroos, and wallabies.
Long-Fingered Triok
Just like Waigeo Cuscus, long fingered triok is also endangered. This marsupial animal looks like a possum or sugar glider. It is a nocturnal animal that live in mountain forests. They are spread along Huon Peninsula and central New Guinea. As the name implies, this animal has long fingers that they use to scratch trees or rotten woods to find bugs or small animals for food.
Those are the animals that live in Papua New Guinea. There are still many other animals, including Ulysses butterflies, dwarf cassowary, and many more. It is our responsibility to protect these animals Papua New Guinea.
