The binturong, often called a “bearcat,” is a unique and intriguing mammal native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Despite its common moniker, it is not closely related to either bears or cats, belonging instead to a distinct family of carnivores. This tree-dwelling creature possesses a combination of unusual traits, from its appearance to its remarkable scent, making it a subject of fascination. It offers insights into the diverse life forms inhabiting Asian tropical ecosystems.
Physical Characteristics and Classification
The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a long, heavy animal with a robust build and short, stout legs. It has a thick coat of coarse, shaggy black hair, often tipped with gray, giving it a grizzled appearance. Its head features a short, pointed muzzle with bristly hairs, large, prominent black eyes, and short, rounded ears edged with white and topped with distinctive tufts of black hair.
Adult binturongs typically measure between 71 to 84 cm (28 to 33 inches) in head and body length, with their tail adding another 66 to 69 cm (26 to 27 inches), making it nearly as long as their body. They generally weigh between 11 to 32 kg (24 to 71 lb), with females often larger and heavier than males. Their bushy, prehensile tail is thick at the root and tapers towards the tip, curling inwards. This tail functions like a fifth limb, providing grip and balance as they navigate through trees.
The binturong belongs to the family Viverridae, which includes civets, genets, and linsangs. It is the sole species within the genus Arctictis. While it shares some superficial resemblances to bears and cats, its classification places it firmly within the viverrid lineage.
Habitat and Diet
Binturongs are native to South and Southeast Asia, with their range extending across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of China, as well as the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, and Palawan in the Philippines. They primarily inhabit tall, dense tropical rainforests and lowland forests, preferring areas with good tree cover. They spend most of their lives in the forest canopy, rarely descending to the ground during the day.
As omnivores, binturongs consume a diverse diet, although fruits constitute a significant portion of their intake. Figs, particularly those from the strangler fig tree, are a preferred food source. Their diet also includes small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and carrion. Binturongs play a role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers. The seeds of the strangler fig, for instance, germinate more effectively after passing through a binturong’s digestive tract, aiding in forest regeneration.
Behavior and Conservation Status
Binturongs are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and are largely nocturnal, with peak activity around dusk. Their large size prevents them from leaping between trees, so they often descend to the ground to move to another tree. They are skilled climbers, utilizing their strong feet, semi-retractable claws, and prehensile tail for grip and balance. While generally solitary, they are sometimes found in small groups, typically consisting of a female and her immature offspring.
The binturong’s unique scent is often described as smelling like buttered popcorn or corn chips. This aroma originates from 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP), a chemical compound found in their urine. Binturongs use this scent for territory marking and communication, dragging their tails and feet coated in urine to leave a scent trail. They are also vocal, communicating through sounds including chuckles, purrs when content, and growls, hisses, or screams when agitated.
The binturong is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to a declining population. This decline, estimated at over 30% since the mid-1980s, is primarily attributed to habitat loss and degradation. Deforestation, particularly for logging and conversion of forests to agricultural land like oil palm plantations, poses a significant threat. Binturongs also face pressure from poaching for meat, traditional medicine, and the illegal wildlife trade.