Binturong: What do you get when you mix bear, cat, dog, monkey and skunk? And why does it smell like popcorn? (8 photos)

If you smell popcorn, turn around. Maybe, there is a binturong somewhere near you. Well, if popcorn does not smell - it's time to cook it and sit back comfortably - today we will tell you you about a cat bear from Southeast Asia with an appetizing smell!





To the first scientists, binturongs seemed like raccoons. However, modern studies rank woolly as ... cats! Not directly, of course - their paths diverged around 55.8 million years ago, when the viverrid family, to which the cats belong.



Why the binturong was called a cat bear Guess It's easy - just look at the pictures. But for honesty list of animals from which the beast borrowed parts, needs to be expanded. From distant mustachioed relatives, the binturongs left a lot: the ability to purr, wash with paws, partially retract and release claws. And their eyes are exactly the same feline - slits instead of normal pupils.





The second creature whose parts the binturong spied and I made myself - a monkey. From monkeys got a powerful and a muscular tail as long as the beast itself. Cats use it as insurance: wrapping a limb around branches, a beast climbs and descends with monkey dexterity from trees.



Although binturongs move slowly and leisurely. This trait went to animals from bears together with their broad paws, rich coat and stocky complexion. Despite its smallness - the length of the binturong no more than 70 cm - the weight of the beast reaches 32 kilos! It and it’s clear: he eats binturong, like potapych, absolutely everything - fruits, berries, fish, worms, birds, mushrooms and even carrion.



The clumsy gait came from the bear as a gift, but her binturong pumped in his own way - the hind feet turn 180⁰! This feature allows animals to descend from trees upside down without risking their face.

Another donor animal is the skunk. And the borrowed part is under the tail. Binturongs have scent glands that secrete a secret with a specific smell. Usually under the word "specific" implied stink. But not this one once - the binturong smells like delicious popcorn! Thanks for everything volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which is formed in urine animals. This train for binturongs is like a passport and medical card - he talks about gender, animal health and fertility.



By the way, all shura-mura begin strictly at the behest females. In fact, animals are capable of indulging in carnal pleasures all year round. year, but most cubs are born from January to March. This is explained simply: it does not matter when conception itself occurs, females can freeze pregnancy until better times - while eating will not be more.



Last but not least, parts binturong attached to himself from dogs. Intelligence and Compliance is what unites good boys and cats. Binturongs are easily tamed - tailed ones walk on a leash and communicate tolerably with bipeds. However legal domestication of animals is carried out only in two places.



The first is in the Orang Asli tribe, because historically it has been so. The second is in zoos, for the sake of opportunities to observe, explore and preserve the species. Contain a cat in an apartment / house means not only to violate with a dozen laws, but also doom the animal to a slow death. Provide decent content for such exotic animals outside natural habitat can only professionals.