Binturong
ExploreMammals
Binturong
Arctictis binturong
Binturongs are unique animals that look like a mix between a cat and a bear! They have long tails and love to climb trees in the forests of Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Binturong has shaggy, coarse black fur, often with white or grayish tips, and long, prominent white whiskers. Its small ears have distinctive white tufts, and it possesses a long, bushy, prehensile tail.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyViverridaeGenusArctictis
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Binturong mothers carry their babies in their mouths to move them safely.
Binturongs are expert climbers and can even descend trees head-first!
Long whiskers help them feel their way through the dark jungle at night.
Sometimes called 'bearcats,' these mammals are actually related to civets and mongooses!
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Grip Master
Binturong can hang upside down by its prehensile tail because it's strong enough to support its entire body weight.
Ability
Popcorn Perfume
Binturong has special scent glands that help them mark their territory with a buttery popcorn-like smell.
Ability
Arboreal Acrobatics
Binturong can climb trees head-first down because of flexible ankle joints that rotate backwards.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 60-96 cm
- Weight
- 9-20 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-6
- Gestation
- 74-90 days
Diet & Feeding
These furry friends munch on fruits, especially figs, but also enjoy small creatures.
Primary Foods
- Figs
- Other fruits
- Rodents
- Birds
- Eggs
- Insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Cluster fig
Ficus racemosa
Crucial food, eating sweet fruits helps disperse seeds.
hunts
Asian house rat
Rattus tanezumi
Opportunistically catches small rodents.
eaten by
Reticulated python
Python reticulatus
Large snakes are a potential predator for binturongs.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Bearcat
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Binturongs are wild animals, so it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Binturong?
60-96 cm
How much does Binturong weigh?
9-20 kg
How long does Binturong live?
15-20 years
How fast can Binturong move?
25 km/h
What does Binturong eat?
These furry friends munch on fruits, especially figs, but also enjoy small creatures.
Where is Binturong usually found?
Forests
How does Binturong hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Binturong usually have?
1-6
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Zoo22 sightings16 species
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Staten Island Zoo
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Oklahoma, US
Tulsa Zoo
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Minnesota, US
Minnesota Zoo
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Texas, US
Austin Zoo
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Georgia, US
Zoo Atlanta
You might spot African Lion, Giraffes, and Common Ostrich.
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Zoo18 sightings12 species
England, UK
Colchester Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Common Ostrich.
View guide →
