Binturong

## About

A resting binturong.

The binturong ***(Arctictis binturong)*** or bear cat is an arboreal mammal that occurs in south and southeast Asia. Binturongs are slender and low to the ground, they have stout limbs and long tails. They are covered in coarse, long black and brown hairs on their backs and faces as well as scraggly silver hairs that are found most prolific on their forearms, hind legs and face. They also have small rounded ears with characteristic ear-tufts. Binturongs have long whiskers similar to that of a feline. Due to their cat-like features, in the past binturongs were commonly mistaken for felines and were originally coined "bearcats" or "otter-cats" in reference to their appearance. They are actually only distantly related to cats and are instead placed in the viverridae family along with civets. Binturongs are relatively large, growing to a length of 1.15-1.85m (3.7-6ft) including the tail as well as weighing 9-14kg (20-31lbs), making them the largest species in the viverridae family.

## Diet

Binturongs are omnivorous however, most commonly eat fruits, leaves, plant roots. Additionally, binturongs may prey on bird eggs, worms, small reptiles like lizards and fish when available. Binturongs have even been known to swim and dive to find food.

## Conservation Status

Binturongs according to the IUCN, are vulnerable. The clearing of forests and other habitats for the creation of single-species palm oil plantations brings low-biodiversity to the native habitat of the binturong and threatens the species with habitat fragmentation and general habitat degradation. Particularly, the creation of these plantations leaves binturong populations separated, creating difficulties in breeding. Binturongs due occur in protected areas however, these regions are still deforested, with 40% of forest cover between 2000-2012 in Indonesia being deforested in these protected sites. In Borneo (locally known as Kalimantan) 56% of all protected lowland forests have been destroyed, leaving the species uncommon and rare on the Island. Large scale deforestation in India has likely caused the same result. In China the species has gone near-extinct because of these unsustainable practices. Binturongs have also been found to be sold illegally in the pet trade, being marketed as 'exotic pets'.

## Range and Population

Binturongs occupy the lush rainforests and temperate forests of southeast Asia and Indonesia. binturongs are believed to have possibly gone extinct in some regions of southeastern Vietnam as well as Northern Laos and Southern China. As of 2022 the IUCN is unsure whether binturongs inhabit Brunei or if they have become extinct in the country. The exact population of the binturong is unknown, but is in a declining state due to the previously mentioned southeast Asian palm oil crisis that has destroyed to regions biodiversity. Additionally binturongs have also been listed as regionally endangered in some environments.

## Behaviour

Binturongs are active during day and night, but are commonly mistaken for being nocturnal. Binturongs are almost entirely arboreal, living almost there entire lives in trees. Binturongs have been known to communicate a range of emotions through varied tail movements similarly to felines, the movements of a binturong's tail can dictate the emotion it is feeling.

### Relationship with Humans

Binturongs are usually shy natured animals, but when perused or harassed by humans will become aggressive. They will emit a hissing sound when threatened in attempt to intimidate their pursuers. If the hissing does not successfully scare off their target, they will bare their teeth in preparation to bites their enemies with their sharp teeth and powerful jaws.

## In Captivity

Binturongs are widespread throughout captivity and are particularly well show cased in Western zoos such as San Diego Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo in the USA and Australia Zoo, Adelaide Zoo and Taronga Zoo in Australia. Binturongs are often exhibited in nocturnal houses in zoos, due to their secluded nature.

## Sources

* Binturong | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong
* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41690/45217088
* Britannica | Binturong - https://www.britannica.com/animal/binturong