The Binturong is neither a bear nor a cat. It is a relative of the palm civet and is also related to mongoose and genets.

The word "Binturong" is of Malay origin.

Like most Tropical nocturnal animals, not very much is known about their behaviour in the wild.

Physical Characteristics
It has a small head with a face of an otter. It's whiskers are long and white and help the binturong to feel it's way about in the dark.

The body is thickset with a shaggy & coarse black coat of hair with gray/white tips. The tail is longer than the body (as in most palm civets) and is also prehensile.

The Binturong is the only other non-primate with a prehensile tail. The ear turfs, long whiskers and face are white. The ears are small and round with a white edge and a large tuft of hair behind.

The feet have bare soles with 5 non-retractable claws and when on the ground, the binturong walks flat-footed, giving it an awkward gait like that of the bear. They can crawl around upside down in trees like a sloth and come down head-first like a squirrel, in spite of their weight.

The Binturong has an acute sense of smell and hearing and excellent night vision. It can grow up to 6 feet (inclusive of the tail) and weigh up to 30 lbs. It is interesting to note that the females outsize the males by 20%.

Behaviour
It is a nocturnal and arboreal animal which lives in family groups which consist of a male & female with their young.

During the day, it lies in treetops curling up with its tail tucked under its head. Occasionally it may be found stretched out on a branch in the day sunning itself. ItÕs pupils would be contracted to a slit (like that of cats).

Being arboreal, the binturong is agile and deft in its movement among the tree branches with its tail always firmly grasping a branch or tree trunk.

The very muscular tail acts as an extra limb so that the binturong may have its both hands free to reach out for food.

The binturong is a very vocal animal and they can be heard to utter high pitched whines, rasping growls and a variety of grunts and hisses.

Another form of communication is via their scent glands. Civets have peri-anal glands in which ÔcivetÕ a salve like substance is produced and liberally deposited to areas to mark their territory.

In the binturongs, the scent glands are positioned such that they actually touch the branches as the animal moves about leaving a trail of scent behind. It is said that the scent smells like very buttery popcorn or like the Asian Pandan plant.

The binturong has a varied diet. Foraging for food occurs at night. And although it is classified as a carnivore and it does have sharp teeth, the binturong prefers fruit and is an important seed disperser in the tropical jungle.

It is a fairly opportunistic feeder as well as a skilful hunter of mice, tree shrews, birds, snakes . Their diet also include nuts, seeds, small vertebrates and invertebrates ,carrion (where available), and fish. Yes - Fish! The binturong is also known to be a powerful swimmer and will dive for fish.

Female Binturongs mature at 2 and a half years old and may breed twice a year. They can remain fertile for up to 15 years. When ready to mate, the female gives off a mating call. The male will follow her around, constantly sniffing her. If she accepts his advances, she purrs loudly and then lies down before mating.

Gestation is about 3 months and usually 2 young are born in a tree hollow. The cubs are blind at birth and open their eyes only 10 days later . they wean at 6 to 8 weeks and reach their full size and become independent in one year.

The males are believed to help in the nurturing of the young. In the wild, the Binturong has a life span of 18 years.

The binturong is sometimes kept as a pet because it can be easily domesticated. It will follow its owner around like a dog. When walking a binturong, one doesnÕt require a leash because its tail can be used as a built in leash.

There are 2 families in the Night Safari - one living in the tree in the middle and the other in the tree near the walkway. There has been a recent birth and the Rangers believe that 2 young were borne in mid December 1999.