Meet Our Animals
The Brandywine Zoo proves that great things do come in small packages. The Zoo features animals from the tropical and temperate areas of North and South America, Asia and Africa. Our animals range from more common species to the highly endangered. All enjoy natural settings and welcome your visit to the zoo. Some animals may be off exhibit during cold weather.
Arctictis binturong
Binturong
Habitat
Geographic Region & Range
Diet
Physical Description
Binturong have coarse, thick black fur and a long bushy prehensile tail that helps act as an extra limb to grip onto branches while climbing through trees.
Lifespan
Natural Habitat: 15-18 years
Under Human Care: Up to 25 years
Threats
Status
What are AZA Zoos doing for
Binturong
Binturongs are cooperatively managed at many AZA accredited zoos through the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure healthy and genetically diverse populations while conserving populations in their natural habitats.
Fun Facts
Binturong urine contains the same chemical compound that gives popcorn its buttery scent. The distinctive smell helps them to communicate with each other and warn-off potential predators.
Binturongs are often called ‘bearcats’ but aren’t bears or cats! They are members of the Viverridae family along with other medium sized cat-like mammals such as fossa and civets.
Binturongs usually give birth to two babies at a time called ‘binlets”.
