The binturong, also known as a bearcat, is a strange and fascinating mammal native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Despite its nickname, it’s not related to bears or cats—instead, it belongs to a group called viverrids, which includes civets and genets. Binturongs have shaggy black fur, a long, bushy tail, and a face that almost looks like a mix between a cat and a raccoon. They’re known for their strong, prehensile tail, which helps them climb trees, and for an odd but famous trait—their

The binturong, also known as a bearcat, is a unique mammal native to the forests of Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it’s neither a bear nor a cat but belongs to the civet family. With its long, bushy tail and thick black fur, the binturong is an excellent climber, using its prehensile tail for balance and grip. One of its most fascinating traits is its scent—it smells like buttery popcorn due to a compound in its urine! Binturongs are mostly nocturnal and love feasting on fruits, playing a cru