Threat Level
Vulnerable

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Binturong
Fact Sheet

(Arctictis binturong)

With shaggy black fur, stiff white whiskers, a small face and intense eyes, Binturongs are very odd looking creatures! They have a prehensile tail which is used to hang on to branches like a monkey. But Binturongs are not monkeys - they belong to the order of animals known as the Carnivora (which includes bears, cats, dogs and otters among others) and is one of only two of these animals to have a prehensile tail. The other is the Kinkajou of South America.

Habitat

Binturongs are naturally found in north-eastern India, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, Philippines, Sumatra and Java. Using their bushy tails for balance and support, Binturongs spend most of their time wandering treetops in the dense forests of South-east Asia, often at night, to find their food.

Breeding

Binturongs are generally solitary, preferring to hang out on their own. Some will form small, family groups however, and the female is nearly always the boss! When Binturongs are ready to mate they will signal to other Binturongs using their scent.

Jaya

Age: 4 years (DOB 20/10/2005)

Sex: Male

You Can Adopt Jaya

Meet our gorgeous little Binturong boy! He is the youngest and certainly the shyest of our two Binturongs. His elder sister is outgoing and confident, while this boy is very reserved.

Joining the Zoo crew in September 2009, all the way from Victoria, it took this little Binturong some time to relax in his new environment. When he gained the courage to emerge from his den, he cautiously explored his enclosure and discovered he was surrounded by lush gardens, a beautiful waterfall and lots of nice rocky ledges to sleep on!

Australia Zoo’s Binturong keepers spend a lot of time with this boy. Each day they work hard to gain his trust and build a strong bond with him. Already he approaches his keepers to get a bite of his two favourite foods- grapes and bananas.  

Pip

Age: 5 years (DOB 4/12/2004)

Sex: Female

You Can Adopt Pip

This very strange looking creature is one of the newest editions to Australia Zoo. She is exotic, smart and very friendly…she is a Binturong! 

Our quietly confident Binturong joined the Zoo crew with her little brother on September 18, 2009. She settled in to her beautiful enclosure almost immediately and is proving to be a delightful and outgoing little girl.

Like most animals, this little Binturong loves her food, especially mango! She will follow her keepers anywhere as long as they have some sweet fruit for her to munch on.