Knowra Binturong Binturong The binturong is a large, mainly arboreal mammal native to South and Southeast Asia. Also called the bearcat, it is a viverrid with a prehensile tail and a distinctive popcorn-like scent.
Viverridae : A family of small- to medium-sized carnivorous mammals that includes civets, genets, and binturongs. The binturong belongs to this family, despite its bear-like appearance.
Frugivory : A feeding strategy in which fruit makes up a substantial part of an animal’s diet. Fruit is a major food for binturongs, especially figs.
Binturong conservation : The protection and recovery of binturong populations and their habitats. It focuses on reducing threats to the species across its Asian range.
Palawan binturong : A geographically isolated population of binturongs found on Palawan in the Philippines. Its island distribution makes it a distinctive conservation case within the species’ range.
Prehensile tail : A tail capable of grasping or wrapping around objects. The binturong uses its strong, prehensile tail as an extra support while climbing.
Seed dispersal : The movement of seeds away from their parent plants, often by animals or wind. By eating fruit and depositing seeds elsewhere, binturongs can help regenerate forests.
Deforestation : The large-scale removal of forests, often through clearing or conversion to other land uses. Forest loss removes the trees and connected habitat binturongs depend on.
Binturong vocalizations : The sounds binturongs produce, including calls used in social interactions. Their varied calls provide evidence of communication beyond conspicuous scent marking.
Arboreality : The adaptation of living primarily in trees. Life in the canopy shapes the binturong’s movement, feeding, and use of its tail.
Scent marking : The communication of information through odors deliberately deposited by animals. Binturongs use scent from glands near the tail base to mark their surroundings.
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