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Binturong

Local name: 
Binturong
Scientific name: 

Arctictis binturong

Status: 
Vulnerable

Binturong

Distribution:
Binturong occur in: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Cambodia; China; India; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Philippines; Thailand and Viet Nam. In Indonesia, they are found in Sumatra, Kalimantan, west Java and various offshore islands.
Population size: 
The exact population size is not known but binturong are no longer common in any part of they range
Habitat:
Binturong live in tropical and sub-tropical forests.
Ecology:
Binturong are fairly arboreal, usually only coming to the ground to move between trees. They are generally nocturnal but are sometimes active during the day. The typical litter size is two young but up to six may be born
Threats:
The principal threat to Binturong is habitat destruction, especially in Indonesia. Binturong are also hunted for food, particularly in Indochina. They are sometimes captured and kept as pets and can be caught accidentally in traps set for other animals.
At Harapan Rainforest:
Our camera traps have photographed a Binturong walking along the ground in Harapan Rainforest. Previously, Binturong were presumed to be highly arboreal. However, camera trap evidence from throughout their range (including our traps at Harapan Rainforest) now prove that they spend far more time on the ground than previously thought.
Interesting facts: 

  • Binturong are one of a small number of mammals capable of delayed implantation or embryonic diapause, that is delaying parturition until weather or season is most favourable for giving birth.
 

References:
Widmann, P., De Leon, J. & Duckworth, J.W. 2008. Arctictis binturong. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 June 2009.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong - Accessed 26th June 2009.