In Indonesia, the binturong is usually misunderstood and mistakenly considered a forest wolf or a mysterious, dangerous creature. Its large body, thick black fur, silent movement within the treetops and rare encounters with humans fuel these misconceptions.
In fact, the binturong just isn’t a dangerous predator. It is a singular mammal native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, playing a vital ecological role and having characteristics present in no other animal.
The binturong, also referred to as the “bear-cat”, just isn’t related to either bears or cats. Scientifically named Arctictis binturongbelongs to the Viverridae family, the identical group as civets and luwaks.
It is the one species of its kind and leads a largely solitary lifestyle within the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
Inhabitant of the cover of Asian forests
Binturong is native to South and Southeast Asia, and its wide geographic range includes India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
In Indonesia, this species inhabits tropical forests that also retain a dense, continuous cover cover.
Its primary habitat is tropical and subtropical rainforests, each primary and secondary, characterised by tall, interconnected trees. Binturong, highly arboreal by nature, spends most of its life within the treetops.
An extraordinary tail for climbing
The Binturong spends most of its life within the treetops. Although it just isn’t as acrobatic as monkeys, due to its prehensile tail it moves evenly and efficiently among the many branches.
This tail, almost so long as its body, functions as a “fifth limb”, allowing the binturong to securely grasp tree trunks and branches. Among carnivorous mammals, only two species have a prehensile tail: the binturong and the kinkajou.
The base of the tail is thick and muscular, and the last third allows for a firm grip. The hardened flap of skin on the tip increases its ability to stick. Juvenile binturongs may hang completely by their tails, although adults normally also rest on their limbs as a consequence of their greater body mass.
Physically, the binturong is in regards to the size of a medium-sized dog, with a stocky construct, long, thick black to dark brown fur, and silvery or brownish hair suggestions that give it a rather “gray” appearance.
His rounded face is framed by a stiff white mustache and reddish-brown eyes. It walks on full legs, and on the bottom its movements resemble those of a small bear walking slowly. What’s unique is that the binturong’s ankles can rotate a maximum of 180 degrees, allowing it to climb down the tree head first without losing its grip.
A frugivore that helps maintain the forest
Although the binturong is assessed as a carnivore, it will possibly more accurately be described as an omnivore with strong frugivorous tendencies. The basis of its food regimen is fruit, especially figs. It also eats insects, small birds, eggs, small mammals and other plant material.
Instead of actively hunting, the binturong forages opportunistically, each within the treetops and on the forest floor.
This species has good eyesight in each daylight and low light, can swim quite well, and relies heavily on its keen sense of smell to navigate and communicate in dense, dark forest environments.
The smell of popcorn and the tongue of smell
One of essentially the most characteristic features of the binturong is its smell. The animal is well-known for emitting an aroma strikingly much like buttered popcorn. This smell comes from a chemical called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which can be produced when cooking popcorn and toast.
The compound is released by glands under the tail and within the urine, then smeared on branches and leaves because the binturong moves. Smell serves as a territorial marker and a way of communication between individuals, including attracting potential mates. It tends to be stronger in men and is more likely to be related to hormonal and reproductive signaling.
In addition to chemical communication, binturongs even have a wide selection of vocalizations. They may snort, giggle, growl, hiss, and howl to precise emotional states starting from contentment to emphasize or perceived threats.
A sensitive, rare species
Binturongs are nocturnal and solitary animals, which makes them rarely seen by humans. Their range extends from India to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and parts of southern China. They inhabit each primary and secondary forests with dense canopies.
However, this species is increasingly endangered. Habitat loss as a consequence of deforestation, agricultural and plantation expansion, hunting, illegal wildlife trade, and road-related mortality is causing continued population decline. Binturong is currently listed as Sensitive on the IUCN Red List.
