Binturong

Arctictis binturong

Binturong IUCN Red List endangerment category: Vulnerable
Family
Viverrids (Viverridae)
Weight
15 bis 20 kg
Habitat
Tropical forests

Cat, marten or bear?

The binturong looks like a cross between a cat, a marten and a bear, but actually belongs to the viverrid family. It spends most of its time in the canopy and is mainly active at night, dusk and dawn. Due to its size and weight, it rarely leaps from tree to tree like other arboreal species. Instead, it must descend and move across the forest floor.

Binturong vor weißem Hintergrund

Does it smell like popcorn here?

Yes! Binturongs really do smell like popcorn. The scent comes from a chemical in their urine, which is the same compound
produced when kernels pop. They use this scent to mark their territory and communicate with one another.

Dominant females

Binturong females are generally larger and heavier than males. Observations in zoos show that they often get preferential
access to food and the prime sleeping spots, while the males tend to be more reserved.

The binturong is one of the few mammals with a prehensile tail. This allows it to grip branches and even climb upside down.

Distribution

Englische Verbreitungskarte Binturong

Distribution

Asia

Southeast Asia