Binturongビントロング

Arctictis binturongVU— Vulnerable

The binturong, sometimes called the bearcat, is a large, shaggy-coated civet of South and Southeast Asian rainforests, known for its muscular prehensile tail and a musky scent that smells remarkably like popcorn. It is omnivorous but especially reliant on figs, and its ability to digest and disperse fig seeds makes it an important keystone species in its forest habitat. Logging, habitat conversion, and hunting have driven population declines, and the IUCN classifies it as Vulnerable.

Binturong (reference photo)
Photo: Tassilo Rau / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Carnivora / Viverridae Source
Distribution
The binturong is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, inhabiting lowland forests from sea level up to 3,000 meters. Source

Did You Know?

  • The binturong has a long, muscular, prehensile tail that can grip branches, and it often rests curled up with its tail wrapped around its body and head tucked beneath it. Source
  • Binturongs are famous for a musky scent resembling popcorn or corn chips, likely caused by the volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline found in their urine. Source
  • Binturongs are among the few animals able to scarify the tough outer coating of fig seeds, making them a keystone species for dispersing strangler figs. Source

Where to See This Species

9 facilities · 0 individuals

ノースサファリサッポロ (Nosusafarisapporo)Hokkaido

ノースサファリサッポロのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

宇都宮動物園 (Utsunomiya Doubutsuen)Tochigi東北自動車道 宇都宮ICから約5分、駐車場は乗用車1,000台分が無料。

宇都宮動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

熊本市動植物園 (Kumamotoshi Doushokubutsuen)Kumamoto市電「健軍行」で「動植物園入口」下車、徒歩10分。

熊本市動植物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

高知県立のいち動物公園 (Kouchi Kenritsu Noichi Doubutsu Kouen)Kochi土佐くろしお鉄道ごめん・なはり線「のいち駅」から徒歩20分またはレンタサイクル13分。

高知県立のいち動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Hirakawa ZooKagoshimaJR指宿枕崎線「五位野駅」から徒歩約20分、またはバスで「福平農協前」から「谷山・動物園行き」に乗車し終点下車。

鹿児島市平川動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

周南市徳山動物園 (Shuunanshitokuyama Doubutsuen)YamaguchiOpened in 1960

周南市徳山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

長野市茶臼山動物園 (Naganoshichausuyama Doubutsuen)NaganoJR篠ノ井駅が最寄り駅。

長野市茶臼山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

福岡市動物園 (Fukuokashi Doubutsuen)FukuokaOpened in 1953

福岡市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

2

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではVU。森林減少と取引が大きな課題です。

Habitat

南アジア・東南アジアの熱帯林。

Threats

  • 森林伐採
  • 違法取引
  • 狩猟

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 熱帯林の保全
  • 飼育下繁殖と保全教育

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why does the binturong smell like popcorn?
Its musk glands and urine contain the compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, the same aromatic compound partly responsible for popcorn's smell. Source
What is special about the binturong's tail?
It is long, muscular, and prehensile — able to grip branches like a fifth limb — which is rare among carnivorans and helps the binturong move confidently through the treetops. Source
Why is the binturong considered Vulnerable?
Forest degradation from logging and conversion to plantations, along with hunting for meat, skins, and the illegal pet trade, have driven population declines across its range. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org