Binturong

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Bearcat redirects here. For the fighter, see F8F Bearcat

iBinturong

Conservation status

Least concern (LR/lc)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Viverridae
Subfamily:	Paradoxurinae
Genus:	Arctictis Temminck, 1824
Species:	A. binturong

Binomial name

Arctictis binturong
Raffles, 1821

The Binturong, Arctictis binturong also known as Asian Bearcat, Malay Civet Cat, Palawan Bearcat or just simply the Bearcat, is neither a bear nor a cat but is a species of civet of the family Viverridae. The real meaning of the original name is lost, as the local language that gave it is extinct. The Binturong is endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching for their medicinal uses and their fur. Its natural habitat is forest canopy, and it spends most of its time in the trees of southeast Asia, Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Palawan Island.

The female Binturong has a pseudo-penis, or "false penis", a rare feature found only in a few other mammals such as the hyenas.^[1]

The Binturong is one of approximately 100 species of mammal believed by many husbandry experts to be capable of embryonic diapause, or delayed implantation, which allows the female of the species to time parturition to coincide with favorable environmental conditions.

They are nocturnal and sleep on branches. Their bushy tails are fully prehensile and act as a fifth hand. They are about the size of a large house cat, averaging about 60–95 cm (24–37 in) and 9-14 kg (20–31 lb). The tail is nearly as long as the body with size ranging from 55–90 cm. The ears are small and rounded and it has small eyes. They have coarse and thick black fur. They eat primarily fruit, but also have been known to dine on eggs, shoots and leaves, and small animals including rodents and birds. Deforestation has greatly reduced their numbers. When cornered, a Bearcat can be vicious. A Binturong can also make chuckling sounds when it seems to be happy and utter a high-pitched wail if annoyed. Binturongs can live over 20 years in captivity. One is recorded to have lived almost 26 years.

Young bearcat kept as a pet by Orang Asli at Taman Negara, Malaysia.

Closer view of tail.

Estrus period: 81 Days
Gestation: 91 Days
Offspring: Usually 2 (up to 6)

Binturongs climb trees and leap from branch to branch, using their tails and claws to cling while searching for fruit, eggs, leaves, birds, and rats. They can rotate their hind legs backwards so that their claws still have grip when climbing down a tree head first. Binturongs also use their tails to communicate, through the scent gland located under it. The scent of Binturong musk is often compared to that of warm popcorn and cornbread. Binturongs brush their tails against trees and howl to announce their presence to fellow Binturongs. Slow and graceful, the Binturong hunts in the night and sleeps during the day. The Orang Asli of Malaysia keep Binturong as pets.