SCIENTIFIC NAME: Arctictis binturong

The Binturong, sometimes referred to as a “bear cat” because of the way it moves on the ground, is a carnivore that lives in dense forest and is mostly nocturnal and arboreal. While climbing trees, it will use its long bushy tail, which has a prehensile tip, for support and balance. It has a coarse shaggy coat and walks like a bear using the sole of its foot. It’s clumsy on the ground but will move with grace in the trees. The animal is playful and likes to do somersaults and flips in the air.

It spends most of its time sleeping in the trees during the day and hunting at night. It relies heavily on its sense of smell. Viverrids have special scent glands that produce secretions important in communications.
Little is known of its natural history but in captivity it will pair up and live together in small family groups consisting of parents and one or two young. The binturong will mate two times a year, in the spring and the fall. Both male and female attend the young and teach them how to climb and use their tails. The young are fully grown around a year old.