Where does the binturong live?
The binturong lives in the tropical and subtropical forests of South and South-East Asia: in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and the Philippines. In Assam it inhabits forested hills more than forested plains. On Palawan it lives in lowland forests, up to 400 m. It is mainly arboreal.
What does the binturong eat?
The binturong is an omnivore: it eats plants, insects and smaller animals. It is mainly nocturnal, but also active at twilight. It has long, thick hair, and above all a long, bushy, prehensile tail, which is unique among carnivores. Its musk glands give off a popcorn smell. It is the largest species of its family, with a massive body that can exceed 1 m and about 20 kg.
Is the binturong endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable. The major threats are habitat loss, forest degradation, and illegal hunting and trade. Females can delay implantation: a fertilised egg only attaches to the uterus when outside conditions are ideal.
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