Binturong
Binturongs, or bearcats are neither bears nor cats. Instead, they are closely related to civets and fossas. Excellent climbers, they use their strong prehensile tails which have a leathery patch at the tip for grip to navigate trees. Though they spend most of their time in the canopy, they aren’t as agile as monkeys and must climb down to move between trees. On the ground, they waddle flat-footed like bears and use their claws for grip when descending trees headfirst.
Their long, muscular bodies are covered in shaggy dark fur, ranging from black to brown, often speckled with white, silver, or rust. They have bushy whiskers, tufted eyebrows, reddish-brown eyes, and long ear tufts. Females are larger than males and are the dominant sex. Primarily nocturnal, binturongs move slowly through trees at night searching for food, then rest high in the canopy by day, often basking in the sun. Their sharp claws aid climbing, and their tails provide balance. Uniquely, they can rotate their ankles 180 degrees to maintain grip when climbing down headfirst. Major threats include deforestation, poaching, and illegal wildlife trafficking, leading to a 30% population decline over the past 30 years.
Diet
Binturongs are classified as carnivores, but they primarily eat fruit. They also consume small mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, eggs, leaves, and plant shoots. They have even been known to eat carrion. Their diet plays an essential role in maintaining forest ecosystems, as they help spread the seeds of the fruits they consume, particularly strangler figs, which require passage through a binturong’s digestive system to germinate properly.
FUN FACT
Binturongs are often described as smelling like buttered popcorn due to a scent they release from their glands. This fragrance is used to mark territory and communicate with other binturongs. They are highly vocal animals, making a variety of sounds, including snorts, chuckles, and purrs when they are content. When agitated, they may hiss, grunt, howl, or even produce a cat-like scream. Despite their large size, binturongs have few natural predators. Large carnivores such as tigers and pythons may prey on young or small binturongs, but their biggest threat remains habitat destruction and human activity.
HABITAT
Binturongs are found in the dense tropical and subtropical forests of south and southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They prefer living in the rainforest canopy, where they navigate the treetops using their strong limbs and tails. While primarily arboreal (living in trees), they will occasionally descend to the forest floor in search of food or water. They are also capable swimmers and can move easily through water when needed.
LIFE SPAN
10 - 25 years.
Adopt a Binturong
Rosie and Ted, our Binturongs, are the largest members of the Civet family and are often found lounging in the treetops of their tropical forest habitat. Known for their unique scent, often described as buttered popcorn, they are truly one-of-a-kind. By adopting Rosie and Ted with the Hero package, you’re helping us maintain their enriching environment and ensuring they continue to thrive. Adopt Rosie & Ted today and support their treetop adventures!
