Binturong

About Binturong:

• The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a medium-sized mammal, also known as a bearcat, of the Viverridae family, which includes civets, linsangs and genets.
• Its nine subspecies are the sole occupants of the genus Arctictis.
• They can weigh up to 50 pounds, but most often weigh in at between 25 and 35 pounds.

Range:

• Binturongs live in the rainforests of Southeast Asia.
• Its range extends from Nepal, India, and Bhutan southward to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java and eastward to Borneo.

Prehensile Tail:

• The animals spend most of their time hanging out in the treetops.
• The animal uses its tail—which is almost as long as its body—like a fifth limb as it climbs through the forest.
• This tail is prehensile, which means it’s capable of gripping things.
• The binturong is one of only two carnivores that has a prehensile tail.
  • The other is the kinkajou.

Conservation:

• They are classified as a vulnerable species by IUCN.

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