Thursday, June 7, 2012

Binturong Unique


Animals Unique | Binturong Unique | Binturong Classification and EvolutionThe Binturong is a medium sized carnivore That is found inhabiting the dense forests of South-East Asia. They belong to the same family as civets Including other small carnivores, Genets, mongooses and Fossa and share a number of characteristics with them Including a long snout and having more teeth than most other Carnivorous Mammals.
The Binturong is thought to be most closely related to the Palm Civet and is the largest member of this family. Also known as the Bearcat, the Asian Bearcat and the Asian Civet, the Binturong was once commonly found throughout much of it's historical range but sadly, today They are a rare find in the thick jungles and very little is actually known about Their behavior in the wild. There are nine different subspecies of the which Binturong Vary little in appearance but growing niche to be most easily distinguished by size and geographic location Their.Binturong Anatomy and AppearanceThe Binturong is a large, heavy animal That can grow to more than a meter long from snout to the tip Their of Their tail, Females with being up to 20% bigger and heavier than male Their counterparts. They have very long, coarse and shaggy fur the which varies from dark brown to black in color and is tipped with gray, along with Tufts of long straight dark hair and the which protrude beyond the tops of Their Ears. The Binturong (along with the Kinkajou of South America) is also unique Among Carnivorous Mammals as They possess a prehensile tip to Their tails, the which acts almost like another leg Helping both with climbing, and gripping onto branches to give the Binturong more stability. 
The Binturong also has long, white That Whiskers are thick and sensitive and are found both on Their checks and above Their brown eyes.Binturong Distribution and HabitatThe Binturong was once natively found throughout China, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and on the island of Borneo, and although there are still Populations found in a number of these countries, Their numbers have been declining and the Binturong can now be extraordinarily hard to spot. Found in dense, moist jungles and in areas close to That are a slow-moving water source, the Binturong has been most affected by habitat loss particularly in the more southern parts of it's natural range. However towards the north where the rate of deforestation is not quite as ferocious, They have been more affected by hunting and capture as well as expanding Generally Human Populations. The Binturong Heavily relies on dense, thick forest where there is plenty of cover both in the trees and on the ground and with a big decline in it's native jungles, this mammal simply has fewer places to go.Binturong Behaviour and LifestyleThe Binturong is a solitary and nocturnal animal Generally That spends the majority of it's time SLOWLY and cautiously moving about amongst the trees. Their large size due to the Binturong can not leap Between one tree and another and so must climb down to the ground to go from tree to tree.


They are excellent climbers and are well aided by Their feet strong, agile bodies, semi-retractable claws and Their prehensile tail. The Binturong is also known to both swim and dive well and Often spends time in the water to simply cool down in the heat of the sun. Although They do growing niche to be Mainly solitary, small groups of Binturong are not uncommon and usually consist of an adult pair and Their Young. As with the hierarchy in society Mongoose however, it is the female Binturong WHO Remains the dominant adult. The Binturong is known to be a very vocal animal and makes a number of sounds to both Binturongs Communicate with other species and to warn off That it sees to be a threat. They are known to the make chuckling sounds when They seem to be happy and Appear to utter a high-pitched Wail aggravated if They Become.Binturong Reproduction and Life CyclesAlthough there is not thought to be a mating season Such as, there are thought to be higher instances Between February and April and then later in July and November. After a gestation period That Lasts for around 3 months, the female Binturong climbs down to the ground to nest in thick vegetation Sheltered That is both from the elements but is also out of sight of passing predators. Between 1 and 3 small cubs are born That measure about the size of a human fist. Like a number of other young Mammalian, BInturongs are born blind and can not rely solely on hear and Their mother to Provide them with milk.
They are usually weaned by the time They are 2 months old and reach adult size after Their a year. The Binturong is thought to live for Between 10 and 15 years in the wild but can happily reach older ages in captivity with one individual having Died at the age of 26.Binturong Diet and PreyDespite belonging to the Carnivorous mammal group, the Binturong That is Mainly frugivorous meaning it survives on a diet primarily comprised of fruit That Is. Although They are also known to hunt insects, birds and rodents the which They stalk in a cat-like manner amongst the branches, the Binturong has evolved well to eating in the trees That with front feet are not only designed to climb and dig, but They can also hold onto fruit and even open it with agile Their Toes. The Binturong primarily Hunts for food under the cover of night but is also known to feed whilst resting in the trees in the heat of the day. Due to Their ability to swim and dive well, the Hunts Binturong also fish in the water when cooling down in the heat of the day.Binturong Predators and ThreatsThe Binturong is a Relatively large and slow-moving animal, yet it is not really a main source of prey to the predators also That Inhabit the dense, surrounding jungle. Larger animals Such as Tigers and Snakes would pose the biggest threat to the Binturong adults, along with Birds of Prey and small carnivores That Could easily target of one of the young cubs.


The biggest threat to the world's population Binturong though is people and in a number of ways. The Binturong has been caught for Their meat, captured and sold into the pet trade, subjected to the vast habitat loss (mainly in the form of deforestation), and is also trapped and caught to be sold into the Chinese medicine market, where a number of Their body parts are used in traditional remedies.Binturong Interesting Facts and FeaturesLike other members of the Civet family, has the scent glands Binturong the which are located just under it's tail. These glands are used to mark trees and foliage to outline an individual's territory and is distributed whilst the Binturong is moving about. Oddly enough, the odor of this scent is said to smell like popcorn as are Binturong when They are newborn cubs. Became Stronger Until They and Their are more aware of surroundings, young Binturong are incredibly vulnerable and are Able to spray a foul smelling liquid (like a Skunk) when They are really Frightened. This is not a behavior has been observed however That in individuals WHO are more than a couple of months old, They get bigger as Because They are Able to defend Themselves more easily. When climbing, the Binturong is actually Able to rotate it's Hind legs backwards so That Their claws still have a good grip when climbing down a tree head first.Binturong Relationship with HumansThis tree-dwelling mammal is actually known to be startlingly passive towards people and has been easily domesticated and kept as an exotic pet all over the world. However, it is this industry That along with other factors, has aided in the rapid decline of population numbers Binturong throughout South-East Asia. Not only having been over-exploited as pets, zoo Attractions, in medicines and for food, the Binturong is also subjected to devastating loss of the vast areas of it's natural habitat of the which has pushed the remaining Populations into smaller and smaller pockets of Their once large historical ranges. Both growing Human settlements and forest clearance for agriculture are the main culprits and seeing as the dense jungle Binturong needs to successfully survive, Plantations Provide no sanctuary in their dwindling Homelands.Binturong Conservation Status and Life TodayToday, the Binturong is rarely seen in the wild with just a handful of sightings having been reported over the past decade.


The Binturong is listed by the IUCN as a species from extinction That Is Vulnerable in it's natural environment in the near future. Human encroachment on habitats has historical Their numbers have Meant That Declined drastically along with Their capture and still in many parts, has led to a 30% decline in population numbers Binturong in the last 30 years.

Binturong Unique Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: mammals Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Genus: Arctictis Scientific Name: Arctictis binturong Common Name: Binturong Other Name (s): Bearcat, the Asian Bearcat, Civet Asian Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 9 Location: Throughout South-East Asia Habitat: Dense, moist tropical forest Colour: Black, Brown, Grey Skin Type: Fur Size (L): 60cm - 96cm (24in - 38in) Weight: 10kg - 14kg (22lbs - 31lbs) Top Speed: 24kph (15mph) Diet: omnivore Prey: Fruit, Insects, Birds Predators: Human, Tigers, Snakes Lifestyle: Nocturnal / Crepuscular Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 10-25 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2-3 years Gestation Period: 92 days Average Litter Size: 2 Name Of Young: Cub Age Of Weaning: 6-8 weeks Conservation Status: Vulnerable Estimated Population Size: Declining Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and capture Most Distinctive Feature: Long prehensile tail and sharp claws Fun Fact: Also known as the Asian Bearcat!

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