Fauna of New Guinea Guinea. However, the tree-kangaroos, which are mostly endemic to New Guinea, are different in appearance and behaviour. As suggested by their name, they are arboreal. They have long, thick tails which enable them to balance in trees, and large, strong forearms for gripping to trees. Two species of tree kangaroos are also found in Australia, they are believed to have migrated from New Guinea during the Pleistocene. The cuscus, family Phalangeridae, are a family of marsupials closely related to the possums of Australia. The cuscus have evolved in New Guinea, and are found throughout the island. Most species are dark
Fauna of New Guinea four species of echidnas in two genera: the short-beaked echidna ("Tachyglossus aculeatus"), the eastern long-beaked echidna ("Zaglossus bartoni"), the western long-beaked echidna ("Zaglossus bruijni") and Sir David's long-beaked echidna ("Zaglossus attenboroughi"). No living "Zaglossus" have been seen in Australia, in recent years, and this genus may now be endemic to New Guinea, although a specimen in the natural history museum was collected from the Kimberley region in the early 20th century and fossils have been found in Australia. The native mammal fauna of New Guinea lacks large predators. The carnivorous marsupials, Dasyuromorphia, of New Guinea are all small in comparison