Natural History

Binturong

The binturong (Arctictis binturong) (; bin-TURE-ong, BIN-ture-ong), also known as the bearcat, is an arboreal viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only species in the genus Arctictis, and it is divided into nine subspecies. It has long, thick hair, and is primarily dark in appearance, but can also have a whitish speckled pelage. It is unique in morphology with its popcorn-scented musk glands, and its long, bushy, prehensile tail. The binturong is an omnivore, feeding on plants, insects, and smaller animals. It is primarily nocturnal, but also exhibits crepuscular behaviour. Females are able to enact delayed implantation, where a fertilized egg is not attached to the uterine walls until external conditions are ideal. The major threats to the binturong include habitat loss and forest degradation, as well as illegal hunting and trading. It has been assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

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See also

• ▸Fish farming
• ▸British Rail Class 53
• ▸Black-tailed jackrabbit

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