Binturong
In the Zoo Parc Overloon, the Netherlands
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Viverridae
Subfamily: Paradoxurinae
Genus: Arctictis
Temminck, 1824
Species:
A. binturong[2]
Binomial name
Arctictis binturong[2]
(Raffles, 1822)
Binturong range

The binturong (Arctictis binturong) (/bɪnˈtjʊərɒŋ, ˈbɪntjʊrɒŋ/, bin-TURE-ong, BIN-ture-ong), also known as the bearcat, is a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is uncommon in much of its range, and has been assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of a declining population. It is estimated to have declined at least 30% since the mid-1980s.[1] The binturong is the only species in the genus Arctictis.

Etymology

"Binturong" is its common name in Borneo, and is related to the Western Malayo-Polynesian root "ma-tuRun".[3] In Riau, it is called "benturong" and "tenturun".[4]

The scientific name Arctictis means 'bear-weasel', from the Greek arkt- "bear" + iktis "weasel".[5]

Taxonomy

Viverra binturong was the scientific name proposed by Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1822 for a specimen from Malacca.[6] The generic name Arctictis was proposed by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1824.[7] Arctictis is a monotypic taxon; its morphology is similar to that of members of the genera Paradoxurus and Paguma.[8]

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the following zoological specimens were described:[9]

Nine subspecies have been recognized forming two clades. The northern clade in mainland Asia is separated from the Sundaic clade by the Isthmus of Kra.[17]

Characteristics

Skull and dentition of the binturong, as illustrated in Paul Gervais' Histoire naturelle des mammifères
Binturong skeleton on display in the Museum of Osteology

The binturong is long and heavy, with short, stout legs. It has a thick coat of coarse black hair. The bushy and prehensile tail is thick at the root, gradually tapering, and curls inwards at the tip. The muzzle is short and pointed, somewhat turned up at the nose, and is covered with bristly hairs, brown at the points, which lengthen as they diverge, and form a peculiar radiated circle round the face. The eyes are large, black and prominent. The ears are short, rounded, edged with white, and terminated by tufts of black hair. There are six short rounded incisors in each jaw, two canines, which are long and sharp, and six molars on each side. The hair on the legs is short and of a yellowish tinge. The feet are five-toed, with large strong claws. The soles are bare, and are plantigrade ― applied to the ground throughout the whole of their length ― and the hind ones are longer than the fore ones.[6]

In general build, the binturong is essentially like Paradoxurus and Paguma, but more massive in the length of the tail, legs and feet, in the structure of the scent glands, and in the larger size of the rhinarium, which is more convex with a median groove being much narrower above the philtrum. The contour hairs of the coat are much longer and coarser, and the long hairs covering the whole of the back of the ears project beyond the tip as a definite tuft. The anterior bursa flap of the ears is more widely and less deeply emarginate. The tail is more muscular, especially at the base and, in colour, generally like the body, but commonly paler at the base beneath. The body hairs are frequently partly whitish or buff, giving a speckled appearance to the pelage, sometimes so pale that the whole body is mostly straw-coloured or grey. The young are often paler than the adults, but the head is always closely speckled with grey or buff. The long mystacial vibrissae are conspicuously white, and there is a white rim on the summit of the otherwise black ear. The glandular area is whitish.[8]

The tail is nearly as long as the head and body. The body ranges from 71 to 84 cm (28 to 33 in) and the tail is from 66 to 69 cm (26 to 27 in) long.[18] Some captive binturongs measured from 75 to 90 cm (30 to 35 in) in head and body, with a tail of 71 cm (2 ft 4 in).[19] The mean weight of captive adult females is 21.9 kg (48 lb), with a range from 11 to 32 kg (24 to 71 lb). Captive animals often weigh more than their wild counterparts.[20] 12 captive female binturongs were found to weigh a mean of 24.4 kg (54 lb) while 22 males weighed a mean of 19.3 kg (43 lb).[21] In one study, the estimated mean weight of wild females was 10.5 kg (23 lb).[20] However, seven wild male binturongs in Thailand were found to weigh a mean of 13.3 kg (29 lb), while one female was of similar weight at 13.5 kg (30 lb).[22] One estimate of the mean body mass of wild binturongs was 15 kg (33 lb).[23]

Both sexes have scent glands — females on either side of the vulva, and males between the scrotum and penis.[24][25] The musk glands emit an odor reminiscent of popcorn or corn chips, likely due to the volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the urine, which is also produced in the Maillard reaction at high temperatures.[26] Unlike most other carnivorans, the male binturong does not have a baculum.[27]

Distribution and habitat

The binturong occurs from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Yunnan in China, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java in Indonesia, to Palawan in the Philippines.[1]

It is confined to tall forest.[28] In Assam, it is common in foothills and hills with good tree cover, but less so in the forested plains. It has been recorded in Manas National Park, in Dulung and Kakoi Reserved Forests of the Lakhimpur district, in the hill forests of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills, Cachar and Hailakandi Districts.[29]

In Myanmar, binturongs were photographed on the ground in Tanintharyi Nature Reserve, at an elevation of 60 m (200 ft) in the Hukaung Valley, at elevations from 220–280 m (720–920 ft) in the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Reserve, and at 580 m (1,900 ft) and at three other sites up to 1,190 m (3,900 ft) elevation.[30]

In Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, several individuals were observed feeding in a fig tree and on a vine.[31]

In Laos, they have been observed in extensive evergreen forest.[32] In Malaysia, binturongs were recorded in secondary forest surrounding a palm estate that was logged in the 1970s.[33]

In Palawan, it inhabits primary and secondary lowland forest, including grassland–forest mosaic from sea level to 400 m (1,300 ft).[34]

Ecology and behavior

Binturong photographed by a camera trap at a feeding platform on a fruiting Ficus

The binturong is active during the day and at night.[31][32] Three sightings in Pakke Tiger Reserve were by day.[35] Camera traps set up in Myanmar captured thirteen animals, one around dusk, seven at night and five in broad daylight. All the photographs were of single animals, and all were taken on the ground. Because binturongs are not very nimble, they may have to descend to the ground relatively frequently when moving between trees.[30]

Five radio-collared binturongs in the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary exhibited an arrhythmic activity dominated by crepuscular and nocturnal tendencies with peaks in the early morning and late evening. Reduced inactivity periods occurred from midday to late afternoon. They moved between 25 m (82 ft) and 2,698 m (8,852 ft) daily in the dry season and increased their daily movement to 4,143 m (13,593 ft) in the wet season. Ranges sizes of males varied between 0.9 and 6.1 km2 (0.35 and 2.36 sq mi). Two males showed slightly larger ranges in the wet season. Their ranges overlapped between 30 and 70%.[23] The average home range of a radio-collared female in the Khao Yai National Park was estimated at 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi), and the one of a male at 4.5 to 20.5 km2 (1.7 to 7.9 sq mi).[36]

The binturong is essentially arboreal. Pocock observed the behaviour of several captive individuals in the London Zoological Gardens. When resting, they lie curled up with their heads tucked under their tails. They seldom leaped, but climbed skilfully, albeit slowly, progressing with equal ease and confidence along the upper side of branches or, upside down, beneath them. The prehensile tail was always ready as an aid. They descended the vertical bars of the cage head first, gripping them between their paws and using the prehensile tail as a check. They growled fiercely when irritated. When on the prowl they periodically uttered a series of low grunts or a hissing sound, made by expelling air through partially opened lips.[8]

The binturong uses its tail to communicate.[24] It moves about gently, clinging to a branch, often coming to a stop, and often using the tail to keep balance. It shows a pronounced comfort behaviour associated with grooming the fur, shaking and licking its hair, and scratching. Shaking is the most characteristic element of comfort behaviour.[37]

Diet

The binturong is omnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, fish, earthworms, insects and fruits.[18] It also preys on rodents.[28] Fish and earthworms are likely unimportant items in its diet, as it is neither aquatic nor fossorial, coming across such prey only when opportunities present themselves. Since it does not have the attributes of a predatory mammal, most of the binturong's diet is probably of vegetable matter.[8] Figs are a major component of its diet.[31][35][38] Captive binturongs are particularly fond of plantains, but also eat fowls' heads and eggs.[6]

The binturong is an important agent for seed dispersal, especially for those of the strangler fig, because of its ability to scarify the seed's tough outer covering.[39]

In captivity, the binturong's diet includes commercially prepared meat mix, bananas, apples, oranges, canned peaches and mineral supplement.[20]

Reproduction

The average age of sexual maturation is 30.4 months for females and 27.7 months for males. The estrous cycle of the binturong lasts 18 to 187 days, with an average of 82.5 days. Gestation lasts 84 to 99 days. Litter size in captivity varies from one to six young, with an average of two young per birth. Neonates weigh between 280 and 340 g (9.9 and 12.0 oz), and are often referred to as shruggles. Fertility lasts until 15 years of age.[20]

The maximum known lifespan in captivity is thought to be over 25 years of age.[40]

Threats

Young binturong kept as a pet by Orang Asli at Taman Negara, Malaysia

Major threats to the binturong are habitat loss and degradation of forests through logging and conversion of forests to non-forest land-uses throughout the binturong's range. Habitat loss has been severe in the lowlands of the Sundaic part of its range, and there is no evidence that the binturong uses the plantations that are largely replacing natural forest. In China, rampant deforestation and opportunistic logging practices have fragmented suitable habitat or eliminated sites altogether. In the Philippines, it is captured for the wildlife trade, and in the south of its range it is also taken for human consumption. In Laos, it is one of the most frequently displayed caged live carnivores and skins are traded frequently in at least Vientiane. In parts of Laos, it is considered a delicacy and also traded as a food item to Vietnam.[1]

The Orang Asli of Malaysia has the tradition of keeping binturongs as pets.[41][42]

Conservation

Captive binturong at the Cincinnati Zoo

The binturong is included in CITES Appendix III and in Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, so that it has the highest level of protection. In China, it is listed as critically endangered. It is completely protected in Bangladesh, and partially in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Licensed hunting of binturong is allowed in Indonesia, and it is not protected in Brunei.[1]

World Binturong Day is a yearly event held in several zoos and is dedicated to binturong awareness and conservation. It takes place every second Saturday of May.[43]

In captivity

Binturongs are common in zoos, and captive individuals represent a source of genetic diversity essential for long-term conservation. Their geographic origin is either usually unknown, or they are offspring of several generations of captive-bred animals.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Willcox, D.H.A.; Chutipong, W.; Gray, T.N.E.; Cheyne, S.; Semiadi, G.; Rahman, H.; Coudrat, C.N.Z.; Jennings, A.; Ghimirey, Y.; Ross, J.; Fredriksson, G.; Tilker, A. (2016). "Arctictis binturong". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41690A45217088. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41690A45217088.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Species Arctictis binturong". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 549. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ↑ Smith, A.D. (2017). "The Western Malayo-Polynesian Problem". Oceanic Linguistics. 56 (2): 435–490. doi:10.1353/ol.2017.0021. S2CID 149377092.
  4. ↑ Wilkinson, R.J. (1901). "tenturun". A Malay-English dictionary. Hongkong, Shanghai and Yokohama: Kelly & Walsh Limited. p. 192.
  5. ↑ Scherren, H. (1902). "arc-tic-tis". The Encyclopædic Dictionary. London: Cassell and Company. p. 54.
  6. 1 2 3 Raffles, T. S. (1822). "XVII. Descriptive Catalogue of a Zoological Collection, made on account of the Honourable East India Company, in the Island of Sumatra and its Vicinity, under the Direction of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Lieutenant-Governor of Fort Marlborough, with additional Notices illustrative of the Natural History of those Countries". The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. XIII: 239–274.
  7. ↑ Temminck, C. J. (1824). "XVII Genre Arctictis". Monographies de mammalogie. Paris: Dufour & d'Ocagne. p. xxi. Archived from the original on 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Pocock, R. I. (1939). "Genus Arctictis Temminck". The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Mammalia. – Volume 1. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 431–439.
  9. ↑ Ellerman, J. R.; Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. (1966). "Genus Arctictis. Temminck, 1824". Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946 (Second ed.). London: British Museum of Natural History. p. 290.
  10. ↑ Cuvier, F. (1822). "Benturong". In Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, E.; Cuvier, F. (eds.). Histoire naturelle des mammifères : avec des figures originales, coloriées, dessinées d'aprèsdes animaux vivans. Vol. 5. Paris: A. Belin.
  11. ↑ Temminck, C. J. (1835). "Arcticte Binturong – Arctictis binturong". Monographies de Mammalogie. Vol. II. Paris, Leiden: Dufour, Van der Hoek. pp. 308–311. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  12. ↑ Allen, J. A. (1910). "Mammals from Palawan Island, Philippine Islands" (PDF). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 28: 13–17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  13. ↑ Schwarz, E. (1911). "Seven new Asiatic mammals with Note on the Viverra fasciata of Gmelin". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 8. 7 (37): 634–640. doi:10.1080/00222931108692986.
  14. ↑ Thomas, O. (1916). "A new Binturong from Siam". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 8. 17 (99): 270–271. doi:10.1080/00222931508693780.
  15. ↑ Lyon, M. W. Jr. (1916). "Mammals collected by Dr. W. L. Abbott on the chain of islands lying off the western coast of Sumatra, with descriptions of twenty-eight new species and subspecies". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 52 (2188): 437–462. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.52-2188.437.
  16. ↑ Sody, H. J. V. (1937). On the mammals of Banka. Leiden: Brill.
  17. 1 2 3 Cosson., L.; Grassman, L. L.; Zubaid, A.; Vellayan First4=S.; Tillier, A.; Veron, G. (2007). "Genetic diversity of captive binturongs (Arctictis binturong, Viverridae, Carnivora): implications for conservation" (PDF). Journal of Zoology. 271 (4): 386–395. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00209.x. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-12.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. 1 2 Blanford, W. T. (1888–91). "57. Arctictis binturong". The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Mammalia. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 117–119.
  19. ↑ Arivazhagan, C. & Thiyagesan, K. (2001). "Studies on the Binturongs (Arctictis binturong) in captivity at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur". Zoos' Print Journal. 16 (1): 395–402. doi:10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.16.1.395-402.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Wemmer, C.; Murtaugh, J. (1981). "Copulatory behavior and reproduction in the Binturong, Arctictis binturong". Journal of Mammalogy. 62 (2): 342–352. doi:10.2307/1380710. JSTOR 1380710.
  21. ↑ Moresco, A. & Larsen, R. S. (2003). "Medetomidine–ketamine–butorphanol anesthetic combinations in binturongs (Arctictis binturong)". Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 34 (4): 346–351. doi:10.1638/03-016. PMID 15077709. S2CID 21990341.
  22. ↑ Grassman, L. I.; Janecka, J. E.; Austin, S. C.; Tewes, M. E. & Silvy, N. J. (2006). "'Chemical immobilization of free-ranging dhole (Cuon alpinus), binturong (Arctictis binturong), and yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) in Thailand". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 52 (4): 297–300. doi:10.1007/s10344-006-0040-8. S2CID 46658064.
  23. 1 2 Grassman, L. I. Jr.; Tewes, M. E.; Silvy, N. J. (2005). "Ranging, habitat use and activity patterns of binturong Arctictis binturong and yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula in north-central Thailand" (PDF). Wildlife Biology. 11 (1): 49–57. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2005)11[49:RHUAAP]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 84370908. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  24. 1 2 Story, H. E. (1945). "The external genitalia and perfume gland in Arctictis binturong". Journal of Mammalogy. 26 (1): 64–66. doi:10.2307/1375032. JSTOR 1375032.
  25. ↑ Kleiman, D. G. (1974). "Scent marking in the binturong, Arctictis binturong" (PDF). Journal of Mammalogy. 55 (1): 224–227. doi:10.2307/1379278. JSTOR 1379278. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  26. ↑ Greene, L. K.; Wallen, T. W.; Moresco, A.; Goodwin, T. E. & Drea, C. M. (2016). "Reproductive endocrine patterns and volatile urinary compounds of Arctictis binturong: discovering why bearcats smell like popcorn". The Science of Nature. 103 (5–6): 37. Bibcode:2016SciNa.103...37G. doi:10.1007/s00114-016-1361-4. PMID 27056047. S2CID 16439829.
  27. ↑ Schultz, N. G.; Lough-Stevens, M.; Abreu, E.; Orr, T.; Dean, M. D. (2016). "The baculum was gained and lost multiple times during mammalian evolution". Integrative and Comparative Biology. 56 (4): 644–656. doi:10.1093/icb/icw034. PMC 6080509. PMID 27252214.
  28. 1 2 Lekalul, B.; McNeely, J. A. (1977). Mammals of Thailand. Bangkok: Association for the Conservation of Wildlife.
  29. ↑ Choudhury, A. (1997). "The distribution and status of small carnivores (mustelids, viverrids, and herpestids) in Assam, India" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation. 16: 25–26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-29.
  30. 1 2 Than Zaw; Saw Htun; Saw Htoo Tta Po; Myint Maung; Lynam, A. J.; Kyaw Thinn Latt; Duckworth, J. W. (2008). "Status and distribution of small carnivores in Myanmar" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation (38): 2–28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-28.
  31. 1 2 3 Nettlebeck, A. R. (1997). "Sightings of Binturongs Arctictis binturong in the Khao Yai National Park, Thailand" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation (16): 21–24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-29.
  32. 1 2 Duckwort, J. W. (1997). "Small carnivores in Laos: a status review with notes on ecology, behaviour and conservation" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation (16): 1–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-29.
  33. ↑ Azlan, J. M. (2003). "The diversity and conservation of mustelids, viverrids, and herpestids in a disturbed forest in Peninsular Malaysia" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation (29): 8–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-29.
  34. ↑ Rabor, D. S. (1986). Guide to the Philippine flora and fauna. Manila: Natural Resources Management Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines.
  35. 1 2 Datta, A. (1999). Small carnivores in two protected areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 96: 399–404.
  36. ↑ Austin, S. C. (2002). Ecology of sympatric carnivores in the Khao Yai National Park, Thailand (PhD thesis). Texas University.
  37. ↑ Rozhnov, V. V. (1994). "Notes on the behaviour and ecology of the Binturong (Arctictis binturong) in Vietnam" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation. 10: 4–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2013-03-08.
  38. ↑ Lambert, F. (1990). "Some notes on fig-eating by arboreal mammals in Malaysia". Primates. 31 (3): 453–458. doi:10.1007/BF02381118. S2CID 2911086.
  39. ↑ Colon, C. P. & Campos-Arceiz, A. (2013). "The impact of gut passage by Binturongs (Arctictis binturong) on seed germination" (PDF). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 61 (1): 417–421.
  40. ↑ Macdonald, D.W. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  41. ↑ "Creature Feature: The Binturong | Redbrick Sci&Tech". Redbrick. 2019-10-27. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  42. ↑ Abdullah, Mohd Tajuddin; Bartholomew, Candyrilla Vera; Mohammad, Aqilah (2021-05-01). Resource Use and Sustainability of Orang Asli: Indigenous Communities in Peninsular Malaysia. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-64961-6. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  43. ↑ ABConservation (2023). "Focus sur : la Journée Mondiale du Binturong". ABConservation. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
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