The binturong, often referred to as a “bearcat,” is a unique mammal that frequently causes confusion due to its common name. Despite the moniker, this fascinating creature is neither a bear nor a cat. It is a distinct species native to the lush rainforests of Southeast Asia, known for its unusual appearance and behaviors.
Meet the Binturong
The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is classified within the Viverridae family, which includes civets and genets, making it a distant relative of cat-like mammals. Its appearance is a blend of features, resembling a small bear with a cat-like face. Binturongs possess a shaggy, coarse coat that is typically black or dark brown, sometimes with white or silver tips, giving them a grizzled look. They have long, bushy tails and pointed ears adorned with prominent tufts of black hair.
Binturongs have a long, heavy body with short, stout legs. Their padded paws and long claws aid in gripping branches, while their ability to rotate their ankles 180 degrees allows them to descend trees headfirst. Binturongs typically measure between 60 to 95 centimeters (24 to 38 inches) in head and body length, with a tail nearly as long, ranging from 55 to 90 centimeters (22 to 35 inches). Their weight can vary, generally falling between 9 and 22 kilograms (20 to 48 pounds), with females often being larger and heavier than males.
A Life in the Trees
Binturongs inhabit the tropical forests across a wide range of Southeast Asian countries, including India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their lives high in the forest canopy. While they are excellent climbers, their considerable size prevents them from leaping between trees, so they often descend to the ground to move from one tree to another.
These mammals are predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular. During the day, they rest curled up in tree hollows or dense foliage, often basking in the sun. As omnivores, binturongs have a varied diet. Their primary food source is fruit, particularly figs, but they also forage for small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and even carrion. They play an important ecological role in seed dispersal, aiding germination.
Distinctive Traits and Status
One of the binturong’s most notable features is its prehensile tail, which functions almost like a fifth limb. This muscular tail, thick at the base and tapering towards the tip, is used for balance and gripping branches. While young binturongs can hang by their tails, adults are generally too heavy to do so without additional support. The binturong is one of only two carnivores in the world with a prehensile tail, the other being the kinkajou.
Another unique characteristic is the distinct aroma they emit, often described as smelling like buttered popcorn. This scent originates from glands located under their tail. Binturongs use this scent to mark their territory, dragging their tails along branches to leave a chemical signal for other binturongs. Beyond scent marking, they communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including snorts and chuckles when content, and high-pitched wails, howls, grunts, or hisses when agitated or fearful.
The conservation status of the binturong is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Their populations have been declining by an estimated 30% over the last three decades. The main threats to binturongs include habitat loss and degradation due to logging and the conversion of forests into agricultural lands, particularly for oil palm plantations. They are also impacted by poaching for traditional Asian medicine, the fur and pet trade, and are sometimes hunted for food in certain regions.