Binturong

Binturong[1]
Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[2]
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 the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or simply the Bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. It is the only member of its genus. The binturong is neither a bear nor a cat, and the real meaning of the original name has been lost, as the local language that gave it that name is now extinct[3]. Its natural habitat is in trees of forest canopy in rainforest of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1]

It is nocturnal and sleeps on branches. It eats primarily fruit, but also has been known to eat eggs, shoots, leaves, and small animals, such as rodents or birds. Deforestation has greatly reduced its numbers. When cornered, the Binturong can be vicious. The Binturong can make chuckling sounds when it seems to be happy and utter a high-pitched wail if annoyed. The Binturong can live over 20 years in captivity; one has been recorded to have lived almost 26 years.

Contents

Physical

Being burly and omnivorous, the Binturong is sometimes compared to a bear, but is closer in size to a large cat. Its average length is usually between 60–96 cm (24–38 in), and average weight ranges between 9–14 kg (20–31 lb), although some exceptional individuals have been known to weigh 22 kg (49 lb) or more. Its body is covered with coarse and thick black fur. The tail, bushy and fully prehensile, can act as a fifth hand and is nearly as long as the animal's own length. The ears of the Binturong are small and rounded, and it has small eyes.

Reproduction

The estrous period of the Binturong is 81 days, with a gestation of 91 days.[4] 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. Typical birthing is of two offspring, but up to six may occur.

The age of sexual maturation is 30.4 months for females and 27.7 months for males. Fertility lasts until 15 years of age.[4]

Behavior

Young Binturong kept as a pet by Orang Asli at Taman Negara, Malaysia
A closeup of a Binturong's head

The Binturong climbs trees and leaps from branch to branch, using its tail and claws to cling while searching for food. It can rotate its hind legs backwards so that its claws still have a grip when climbing down a tree head first.

The Binturong also uses its tail to communicate, through the scent glands located on either side of the anus in both males and females. The females also possess paired scent glands on either side of the vulva.[5] The scent of Binturong musk is often compared to that of warm buttered popcorn [3] and cornbread. This comparison was made by zoologist Ron McGill on the Today Show, when he presented a bearcat along with several other animals. The Binturong brushes its tail against trees and howls to announce its presence to other Binturongs.

Binturongs have an average annual range of 6.2 km2 (2.4 sq mi) and travel about 688 m (2,257 ft) per day.[6]

Cultural Significance

Many universities and high schools have the 'bearcat as a mascot', notably the University of Cincinnati. The Orang Asli of Malaysia keep Binturong as pets.

Ecological significance

The Binturong is an important animal for seed dispersal, especially those of the Strangler Fig, because of its ability to scarify the seed's tough outer covering. [7]

Subspecies

Six subspecies are recognized (A. b. albifrons, A. b. binturong, A. b. kerkhoveni, A. b. memglaensis, A. b. penicillatus, and A. b. whitei).[1] The Palawan Binturong (A. b. whitei) of the Philippines is vulnerable due to habitat destruction and poaching for its medicinal uses, its fur and its demand in the pet trade.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wozencraft, W. Christopher (16 November 2005). "Order Carnivora (pp. 532-628)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 549. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000273. 
  2. ↑ Mustelid Specialist Group (2008). Arctictis binturong. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 2008-10-15.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Mammals: Binturong". Zoological Society of San Diego. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-binturong.html. Retrieved 2007-10-17. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wemmer, Chris; James Murtaugh (May, 1981). "Copulatory Behavior and Reproduction in the Binturong, Arctictis binturong". Journal of Mammalogy (American Society of Mammalogists) 62 (2): 342–352. 
  5. ↑ Story, H. Elizabeth (Feb., 1945). "The External Genitalia and Perfume Gland in Arctictis binturong". Journal of Mammalogy (American Society of Mammalogists) 26 (1): 64–66. 
  6. ↑ Grassman, Lon I., Jr.; Michael E. Tewesa, Nova J. Silvy (2005). "Ranging, habitat use and activity patterns of binturong Arctictis binturong and yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula in north-central Thailand". Wildlife Biology 11 (1): 49–57. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2005)11[49:RHUAAP]2.0.CO;2. 
  7. ↑ "Meet the animals- Binturong". Carnivore Preservation Trust. http://www.cptigers.org/animals/species.asp?speciesID=1. Retrieved 2008-07-13. 
  8. ↑ Mustelid Specialist Group (1996). Arctictis binturong ssp. whitei. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.

External links