The Palawan bearcat or the Binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as the Asian bearcat, or simply the bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. It is the only member of its genus. The binturong is neither a bear or a cat, and the real meaning of the original name has been lost, as the local language that gave it that name is now extinct.
The binturong is nocturnal and sleeps on branches. It eats primarily fruit, but also has been known to eat a wide range of animal matter as well. Deforestation has greatly reduced its numbers. It can make chuckling sounds when it seems to be happy and utter a high-pitched wail if annoyed; when cornered, it can be vicious. The binturong can live over 20 years in captivity; one has been recorded to have lived almost 26 years.
Description
Being burly, omnivorous and with a capability for aggressively defending itself, the binturong is sometimes compared to a bear, but it is considerably smaller, being no larger than a small dog. It is, however, the largest living species in the Viverridae family, only rivaled by the African Civet. Its average head-and-body length is usually between 60–97 cm (24–38 in), and weight typically ranges between 9 and 20 kg (20 and 44 lb), although some exceptional individuals have been known to weigh 23 kg (51 lb) or more. Its body is covered with coarse and thick black fur. The hairs are frequently silvery-white on the tip, giving the animal a somewhat grizzled appearance overall. It has lighter or silver mane of fur on its face that make it appear larger to other animals. The tail, bushy and fully prehensile, can act as a fifth hand and is nearly as long as the animal's own length at 50 to 84 cm (20 to 33 in). The binturong is one of only two carnivorans with a prehensile tail (the other being the kinkajou). The ears of the binturong are small and rounded, and it has small eyes. Females are 20% larger than males.
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is the forest canopy of dense primary or secondary rainforest. It also naturally occurs in drier forest-grassland mosaics. Basically a lowland species, they have been largely recorded in the wild from sea-level to 400 m (1,300 ft) in elevation. Although they sometimes occur in small numbers in logged forests, this species does not seemingly adapt well to developed or altered landscapes nor to large amounts of human activity. Widely but sparsely distributed, this species occurs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Reproduction
The estrous period of the binturong is 81 days, with a gestation of 91 days. The binturong is one of approximately 100 species of mammal believed by many husbandry experts to be capable of embryonic diapause, or delayed implantation, which allows the female of the species to time parturition to coincide with favorable environmental conditions. Typical birthing is of two offspring, but up to six may occur.
The average age of sexual maturation is 30.4 months for females and 27.7 months for males. Fertility lasts until 15 years of age. The maximum known lifespan in captivity is thought to be over 25 years of age.
Behavior
The binturong is solitary and nocturnal. It climbs trees and leaps from branch to branch, using its tail and claws to cling while searching for food. It can rotate its hind legs backwards so that its claws still have a grip when climbing down a tree head first. It can sometimes, however, come to the forest floor, either to cross over to other trees or to feed on fallen fruit.
No studies of the dietary preferences in the wild have been conducted. However, the primary food for wild binturongs is believed to be fruit. Since the species is often spotted in fig trees, it is often thought that figs rank among the favored elements in the species' diet. Other foods known to be consumed have included eggs, shoots, leaves, arthropods and small vertebrates, such as rodents or birds. Cases where binturongs have come to riversides and caught fish have also been reported.
The binturong also uses its tail to communicate, through the scent glands located on either side of the anus in both males and females. The females also possess paired scent glands on either side of the vulva. The scent of binturong musk is often compared to that of warm buttered popcorn and cornbread. The binturong brushes its tail against trees and howls to announce its presence to other binturongs.
Binturongs have stable home territories but are not highly territorial and frequently overlap in range with conspecifics. In Thailand, the estimated average home range of a female is 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) and from 4.7 to 20.5 km2 (1.8 to 7.9 sq mi) for males. Binturongs have an average annual range of 6.2 km2 (2.4 sq mi) and travel about 688 m (2,257 ft) per day.
Although they are sympatric with several potential predators, including leopards, clouded leopards and reticulated pythons, predation on adults is reportedly quite rare. This is believed to be due in part to its arboreal, nocturnal habits. Also, although normally quite shy, it can be notoriously aggressive when harassed. It is reported to initially urinate or defecate on a threat and then, if teeth-baring and snarling does not additionally deter the threat, will use its powerful jaws and teeth in self-defense. The binturong is thought to be one of the feistiest animals you will come across in the wild.
Ecological significance
The binturong is an important animal for seed dispersal, especially those of the Strangler Fig because of its ability to scarify the seed's tough outer covering.
Subspecies
Six subspecies are recognized (A. b. albifrons, A. b. binturong, A. b. kerkhoveni, A. b. memglaensis, A. b. penicillatus, and A. b. whitei). The Palawan binturong (A. b. whitei) of the Philippines is vulnerable due to habitat destruction and poaching for its medicinal uses, its fur and its demand in the pet trade.
Status
Although the binturong continues to occur over a large range, the populations of this species has been greatly reduced. The IUCN now lists the species as Vulnerable. Mostly, this is due directly to human activities. The primary threat to the species is destruction of forest habitats. Throughout south Asia, clear-cutting of native forest is rampant. Although many areas now have treed plantations, there is no evidence that the binturong uses the plantations that are largely replacing natural forest in this region, major declines can be inferred based on decline in area of area of occupancy and habitat quality. Logging is especially epidemic as a problem for the binturong in the species range in China (where the species is now considered Critically Endangered) and in its range in Southeast Asia. The other primary threat to the species is direct gathering of specimens (often illegally) for the wildlife trade and hunting. Binturongs are often shot for their fur, meat and scent glands, as is common for all varieties of medium to large-sized wild mammals in its range. It is also now a fairly popular captive species. In captivity, the binturong has been noted for its reported intelligence as well as its curious disposition. However, its occasional ill-temperament makes it a difficult pet at best and better handled by experienced wildlife handlers and zookeepers. The Orang Asli of Malaysia keep binturong as pets.