An Introduction to the Binturong
The Binturong (Arctictis binturong) is an intriguing and unique type of mammal native to the rain forests of the Eastern and Southern parts of Asia. It belongs to the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. These mammals are usually seen alone or in pairs and have an unusually strong musky odor which can be compared to the scent of buttered popcorn. Binturong are also known as the bearcat as its furry face, long tail, and stocky body hints a bit at both felines and bears.
Distribution
Binturong are distributed from India and Southeast Asia to southern China and northern Java, Indonesia. In Nepal and Bhutan, binturong generally inhabit evergreen and moist deciduous forests located at elevations up to 1800 meters and can also be found near swamps and freshwater sources. Binturong prefer to live in tropical rainforest locations, although they may also reside in dry forest and gardens at the fringe of forests.
Habitat
The binturong primarily lives in the trees. They are strong climbers and graceful leapers. Binturong will often survey raised tree branches and the top of the tree canopy, between ten and sixty feet, to find their prey. When they descend lower, they prefer to travel where the branches are more woven together, such as in the middle of a tree crown or along the trunks of large trees. They often rest in the crooks of large branches, about twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground.
Physical Characteristics
Binturong are stocky and strongly built with a robust body, long torso, and legs of medium length, thick fur, and a long, non-prehensile, furry tail. They have a rather round face with pointed ears, a black nose, and a tuft of fur over the snout. The fur color is generally black with a variety of markings, including creamy yellow and gray, marbled, or red-orange. They are about the size of a small cat and weigh between 9 and 18 lbs (4 to 8 kg).
Diet
The Binturong’s diet consists mostly of fruits, eggs, small animals, birds, and insects. They have a keen sense of smell and use their powerful fore and hind legs to grasp and hold onto food. They have sharp claws that enable them to climb and catch food in trees and shrubs. Binturong are omnivorous, meaning they’ll eat both plant-based and animal-based food.
Behavior And Social Interaction
Binturong are generally solitary, but they will interact with each other and socialize. They are especially fond of their own species, and they’re often seen cuddling and playing during the day. In addition, they’re very vocal, and they use vocalizations to communicate with one another. At night, they sleep in trees, often near fruiting sources such as mango and guava trees.
Reproduction & Mating
Binturong are polyestrous, meaning they can have multiple breeding cycles throughout their lifetime. Breeding season occurs during the rain season, when food is more abundant and temperatures are cooler. During mating, the male initiates courtship by purring, where the female will respond with purring of her own. Gestation lasts around 108 days and one to three cubs are typically produced.
Protection
Due to deforestation and hunting, the binturong populations are in decline. There is no specific conservation plan in place to protect this species, however it is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning it is protected from international commercial trade.
Conclusion
The binturong is an interesting and unique species of mammal with a very distinct scent and appearance. They are solitary creatures and prefer to live in trees and climb, but they can often be found visiting gardens in the fringe of forests. They have a keen sense of smell and use vocalizations to communicate with one another. Binturong are sometimes hunted for their fur, and as a result, their populations are in decline. Conservation efforts are needed for this species in order to protect and conserve this enigmatic species.