Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing binturongs. Although these mammals are classified as carnivores, the bulk of their diet consists of fruit. Binturongs specifically love figs, and they play an important role in spreading fig seeds through their habitat, helping the seeds germinate. Aside from fruits, they also eat invertebrates and small birds, rodents, and fish. They're decent swimmers and can be active at any part of the day, however, binturongs are most commonly described as nocturnal.

Binturongs live throughout South and Southeast Asia in forest habitats. They're primarily arboreal animals meaning they spend most of their time in trees. In fact, binturongs are one of only two carnivore mammals with a prehensile tail. We've discussed the other one in a previous episode. It's a kinkajou! Binturongs have a bald, leathery patch of skin at the end of their tail which helps grasp branches while they climb through the tree canopy, and, like a kinkajou, they can twist their feet around 180 degrees as they descend from trees. Baby binturongs, known as binlets, have been observed fully hanging from branches by just their tail, but adults are a little too big for that behavior.

Binturongs are approximately coyote-sized as adults. They weigh around 45 pounds (20 kg) on average, although that weight can tip about 20 pounds (9 kg) in either direction! A binturong’s body is about 2.5 feet (76 cm) across and its tail can be just as long! They're dark grey to black and have ear tufts. What's more, female binturongs are larger than males.

Binturongs are generally considered solitary, however, mothers often travel with their offspring in small family groups. Males and females find each other using scent pheromones which are also used to mark their territory. The scent gland is on the underside of their tail and apparently smells like buttered popcorn! Binturongs also use chirps and calls to communicate aggression or to attract a potential mate. Here are some examples of binturong calls: (chirps and squeaks)

A female binturong is able to delay the implantation of the fertilized eggs in her uterus until the most appropriate time. It's most beneficial to have her babies when food is most abundant. She'll have up to six babies at a time, although twins are most common. Once the eggs develop, it takes about three months before the binlets are born. Baby binturongs cling to their mother's fur in their early life, riding her until they can climb on their own. At about two months of age, they're approximately the size of a housecat, and are able to fend for themselves. It takes almost three years for them to reach reproductive maturity, however, and in many cases they'll remain with their mother until they're fully mature.

It's unknown what the name binturong actually means because the language the word came from is now extinct. These mammals are also known as bearcats. Like bears, binturongs walk on flat feet, and like cats, they spend part of their day grooming their long, coarse fur, but they're not related to either of these other carnivores. They're related to civets! Binturongs have threats in the form of habitat destruction and poaching. They may be hunted for meat or for use in either the pet or coffee trade. You may have heard of kopi luwak; civets and binturongs are used in the production of that type of coffee. In the wild, the oldest binturongs reach 16 to 18 years old.

For more facts on binturongs, check out the links below. Give a thumbs up if you learned something new today. Thank you to our Patrons SpikeSpiegel93, Dad, and everyone else for their support of this channel! And thank you for watching Animal Fact Files!