Arctictis binturong
binturong

Arctictis binturong is found in dense forests ranging across northeastern India, Indochina, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Sumatra, Bangka, the Rhio Archipelago, Java, Borneo, and Palawan (Ewer 1973; Kleiman 1974; Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981; Macdonald 1987; Nowak 1991).

Arctictis binturong are arboreal animals that live in dense forests (Ewer 1973; Kleiman 1974; Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981; Macdonald 1987; Nowak 1991).

Nowak (1991) indicates that breeding is not seasonal, however Ewer (1973) and Wemmer and Murtaugh (1981) note that parturition occurs most frequently between February and April, with additional bouts in July and November. Gestation lasts 90-92 days and litter size averages between two and three cubs (Ewer 1973; Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981). The mean age at which females first copulate and conceive is 30.4 months (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981).

Copulatory behavior is similar to that observed with felids -- females initiate copulation, there is no copulatory lock, and the female exhibits a reclined mating posture (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981). This posture is presumably related to the risks of mating in trees, because it imparts stability to the mating pair (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981). In addition, during a mount the male's pelvis is sometimes elevated but the curvature of the spine is not pronounced (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981). At the Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia, neckbiting by males was not seen and females often grasped the male's torso or tail base with her tail to secure him in the mounted position (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981).

Arctictis binturong are slow moving arboreal animals that live alone or in small groups of adults with immature offspring (Ewer 1973; Kleiman 1974; Nowak 1991). Almost always, the female is dominant (Gensch 1962; Aquilina and Beyer 1979; Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981). At Zoologischer Garten Dresden in Germany, the male stayed with the family group after the birth of two cubs with no observed aggression. In fact, the female allowed him to enter the nest box on several occasions (Gensch 1962).

According to Kleiman (1974), binturong have a large smooth oval shaped perineal gland which is naked internally and covered by paired hairy labia. This gland is used in a number of ways for scent marking. Kleiman's (1974) observations of two captive binturong at the National Zoological Park indicate that scent deposition occurs if the perineal gland comes in contact with the surface while an animal is sitting or climbing along a limb. Kleiman also notes an obvious posture associated with deposition of perineal gland secretions on particular scent-marking posts. For example, to mark a diagonal limb, the animal embraced the limb with the forefeet and pulled itself up into an inverted slothlike position. Once positioned, it pressed the gland to the limb with a forward pulling movement. To mark vertical metal poles, the animal pressed the gland against the pole and pulled its body upward. In addition, males occasionally held their tail on the ground after urination such that it became soaked with urine. Presumably, this transferred the scent to tree limbs during climbing. Another scent marking behavior observed by Kleiman (1974) was metatarsus scuffing. This consists of alternate shuffling movements of the hind limbs with the animal supporting its weight mainly on the forelimbs. The digits are usually raised up, leaving the naked heel in contact with the ground. This occurred alone or in the context of urination and perineal gland marking (Kleiman 1974). During the course of her study, Kleiman (1974) found binturong to be either diurnal or crepuscular, whereas Nowak (1991) indicates a nocturnal lifestyle.

Most sources agree that A. binturong is frugivorous (probably the most frugivorous of all Paradoxurinae), but it is known to take carrion, small invertebrates, fish, birds, eggs, leaves, and shoots (Ewer 1973; Kleiman 1974; Macdonald 1987; Nowak 1991).

Binturong can be easily domesticated and kept as pets (Nowak 1991) but they are also valued as a culinary delicacy and as a medicinal source (CPT 1997). Ecologically, they are considered an important seed disperser due to their frugivorous diet, and because they occasionally eat rodents, they also serve as a form of predator control (CPT 1997).

Arctictis binturong is a member of the subfamily Paradoxurinae (palm civets) (Wemmer and Murtaugh 1981; Macdonald 1987).