Binturong
The Binturong (Arctictis binturong) lives in South-east Asia. Despite all its other names like 'Asian Bearcat', 'Malay Civet Cat', 'Palawan Bearcat' or 'Bearcat', it is actually a species of civet. Due to habitat destruction and poaching for its fur or for medicine, the Binturong is endangered. They are nocturnal and sleep on branches. They are slow moving arboreal animals feeding mainly on fruit. Interesting fact: The scent of Binturong musk smells like warm popcorn and cornbread.
Another interesting fact: Female Binturongs are believed to be capable of timing the birth of their young, called 'Embryonic diapause'.
photo taken by: Tassilo Rau, licensed under GFDL
four comments:
Timing their birth is something so unique and characteristic of theBinturongs.Thanx a lot for sharing this very interesting facts about these animals.You have an amazing blog.Cheers!!
Carol (Email) (URL) - 22 02 07 - 12:30
Thanx for featuring this animal which I have yet to see in the wild although I live in its natural range (i.e. Borneo)! We locals know almost nothing about them and only rarely get to see them in zoos or wildlife parks.
[joepan] (Email) - 25 02 07 - 03:43
do bearcats swim?
liam (Email) - 18 11 07 - 16:40
One of these guys escaped from Melbourne Zoo recently, but was recaptured. It’s worth seeing them at feeding time – they get very lively, even while hanging by their tails to be handfed by the keeper.
Ian T. (URL) - 20 11 07 - 07:02