5 Unique Facts about Binturong
The binturong is family of verridae or known as wolf. They have a long strong body and black fur which is gray on its top. It is native to South and Southeast Asia. Binturong is available every day in our park either in the Animal Educational Presentations or in their exhibit. Here are 5 unique facts about Binturong.
- Called as bearcat
Do you know that Binturong has various names in many places? One of the most popular names is bearcat. It is because their face looks like a cat, meanwhile the way the walk is similar to a bear. Therefore, they called as bearcat. Stated from Wired, binturong is not relative to any types of cat or bear. Even though, it is look very similar to them.
- Carnivore that has prehensile tail
Binturong has a unique tail. Its tail is very strong and thick. That tail is mostly used as an “extra hand” to take or hold anything like hand in common. Furthermore, the small binturong mostly used it to climb and hang on a tree branch.
This tail has a function as an extra or added hand is called as prehensile. This prehensile tail is only can be found in species of monkey and rarely to be found in carnivore animals. There are two carnivores that have this prehensile tail: kinkajou and binturong.
- Smell like a popcorn
Like other wolves in common, Binturong can also release a unique smell from the body. This smell is produced from a gland in the bottom of their tail. Unlike the other wolves which producing bad smell, this binturong smells like a poop corn.
- Female can postpone their child’s birth
Not like other mammals or even humans that cannot exactly predict their baby birth, female binturong can do this. They can postpone until they think that it is the right time. They will find the best environment condition to give birth to the baby.
- Categorized as carnivore, but like to eat fruits
Officially, Binturong is classified as carnivore animal. They usually eat meat of other animals like fish and small birds. However, as stated in Animal Diversity, they are found to prefer eating fruits. Even though, their min diet is meat.
Those are 5 unique facts about Binturong. Let’s find them face to face only in Bali Safari Park.