BODY LENGTH:

The binturong are in the Viverrid family which also includes the Meerkats and the mongooses. They have a squaty, stout build with a long and very muscular prehensile tipped tail. It is only one of two carnivores with a prehensile tail, the other being the Kinkajou.

Binturongs have long, coarse fur which is longer on the tail than on the body. The hairs are black and lusterous, often with gray, fulvous, or buff tips. The head is finely speckled with gray and buff, and the edges of the ears and the whiskers are white. The ears have long hairs on the back that project beyond the tips and pruduce a fringed or tufted effect.

Binturongs are mainly arboreal and nocturnal. When resting, it usually lies curled up, with the head tucked under the tail. It moves slowly but skillfully, using it's tail as an extra hand. When it moves thru the trees, the tail remains coiled around the last support as the animal moves forward. Though most of what is written says that it's movements on the ground are slow and cautious, they can move faster than one is lead to believe.

When vocalizing, binturongs have several sounds. They have an aggressive high pitch scream that sounds like a very, very large domestic cat in a fight, a loud whooshing sound which seems to indicate excitment, and various other snarls and barks.

Binturongs are sometimes kept as pets in other parts of the world. It is said that they are easily domesticated, to become quite affectionate, and to follow it's owner around like a dog. In my experiance working with them, I have found them quite capable of training. Mine respond to verbal commands without any formal training such as what one would do with a dog.

Binturongs also produce a marking oil which smells like corn chips or popcorn. In ancient times, it was used as a perfume base due to it's long lasting linger. They are quite fragrent but not offensive smelling like skunks or fox.

Not a whole lot is written about binturongs. I will add more information when and if I come across it.