Its nickname is the bearcat because it has the face of a cat and the body of a small bear, but it is related to the civet. Photo credit: Wikimedia. They have been known to eat carrion, small invertebrates, eggs, leaves, and plant shoots, too. If this animal isn’t cool enough already, it also has a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn, coming from glands near its tail. This same black fur is known to cast a smell that is similar to popcorn. Tweet; Binturongs are a shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia. Whatever you call this shy, shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia, many people who have met one notice the same thing: it smells like a movie theater snack bar.Most describe it as hot buttered popcorn. The binturong is a mammal native to the rain forests of Southeast Asia. Like many other species in the family Viverridae, the binturong has a scent gland which is located under its tail. Step 2 : Answer to the question "The bearcat or binturong has a distinctive scent that smells like ...\u00a0" Popcorn: Please let us know as comment, if the answer is not correct! They mark their territory with their smell. 4. It is the largest species in the family Viverridae. This allows them to create a scent trail whenever they move through the rainforests they call home, marking their territory and signaling their locations to other binturongs. Wandering through the forests of south-east Asia and you might suddenly wonder if there’s a movie theatre nearby. Posted on April 14, 2016. April 14, 2016. Characteristic Smell – Binturongs have a characteristic smell – to humans, they smell like hot, buttered popcorn. Females are around 20 percent larger than males. The real meaning of the binturongs name is not known because the language that its name came from is now extinct. The binturong is also called bearcat. The binturong’s an inquisitive animal, and appears something similar to a mix from a raccoon along with a stuffed animal.Only one of their most striking features is exactly what it has the aroma of – people frequently express it evokes recollections of hot, buttered popcorn. Binturongs are also known as Asian bear cats and Malay civet cats. Found in the densest rain forests of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, the binturong is nocturnal, grows to be about six feet long, and is covered in long black fur.. The one compound that emanated from every sample was 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same compound that gives popcorn its tantalizing scent. Then again, the binturong is a mammal of many distinctions. More Animals. Scientists say they’ve solved the mystery of why the Southeast Asian mammals emit an odor resembling a tasty snack. The binturong smells like buttery, delicious popcorn because of a chemical in its urine. Nov 28, 2018 - Explore Ronnie Owens's board "Binturong Bearcat Odd Colored", followed by 150 people on Pinterest. The binturong is a mammal that lives in South and Southeast Asia. This is likely due to an odor they emit from their scent or musk glands. The binturong’s an inquisitive animal, and appears something similar to a mix from a raccoon along with a stuffed animal. In a paper appearing online in the journal Science of Nature, they analyzed urine samples collected during routine physical examinations of 33 binturongs at Carolina Tiger Rescue, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary in Pittsboro, North Carolina. YOU CAN FIND ME AT W17. Binturongs may smell like popcorn, but its not on their usual menu. Yum? Prof. Drea and her colleagues searched for 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the binturongs’ kibble, the one cooked item in their diet, but they didn’t detect any. Their hair coloration can vary from black to brown with white, silver, or rust on the tips, which gives these animals a grizzled appearance. A 40-pound mammal creeps along a tree branch in a steamy forest. (I’m ashamed to admit. And for good reason -- the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by The binturong has a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn. The binturong (Arctictis binturong). Image credit: Carolina Tiger Rescue. What’s even weirder is the creature's smell: It gives off the scent of buttered popcorn! These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. Download The Map Additional Facts. A binturong named Bok is pictured above. Conservation . Isaac Hayes's "Hot Buttered Soul" is actually about the urine of this bearcat. As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. “The fact that the compound was in every binturong we studied, and at relatively high concentrations, means it could be a signal that says, ‘A binturong was here,’ and whether it was male or female,” said study first author Lydia Greene, a graduate student at Duke University. The animals use the odor to mark territory as well as to attract mates. People who've spent … In females, these are on either side of the vulva while in males they are found between the scrotum and penis. Using a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the team identified 29 chemical compounds in the animals’ urine. Notably, his smell. 2016. Nov 4, 2012 - Colugo #1 :Philippine Flying Lemur Com.name: Philippine Flying Lemur , Kagwang, Colugo Sci.name: Cynocephalus volans Classification: Mammals … We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Many people who have met these creatures notice the same thing: they smell like hot buttered popcorn. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, binturongs eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, a fortified, meat-based commercial carnivore diet, and low-starch, high-fiber primate biscuits. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. Binturongs have a very unique smell, which is like popcorn. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Binturongs are important ecologically as controllers of rodent populations and dispensers of seeds. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine. The urine of these unusual Southeast Asian mammals smells uncannily like this favorite movie theater treat. According to the scientists, male binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females. This smells like ... popcorn! Many people who have met these creatures notice the same thing: they smell like hot buttered popcorn. Binturong smells of popcorn This video is managed by Newsflare. Binturongs smell like popcorn. 2 The Binturong Smells Like Buttered Popcorn. Over the past 30 years, the Binturong population has decreased by 30% due to deforestation and poaching. Binturongs pee in a squatting position, soaking their feet and bushy tails in the process. The binturong is a fierce, canopy-dwelling carnivore, with a prehensile tail, a sweet tooth for figs, and it smells like buttered popcorn; it is also threatened. The binturong has very few predators. See more ideas about Binturong, Animals, Mammals. 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Science of Nature 103: 37; doi: 10.1007/s00114-016-1361-4, © 2011-2020. That’s because part of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are home to the Binturong – a cat like a carnivore with pee smells like buttered popcorn. In the case of the binturong, researchers think the compound may be produced when the animal's urine reacts with bacteria in the animal's gut, skin, or fur, … Binturong Urine Smells Like Hot Buttered Popcorn. The binturong. Their urine contains the chemical 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2 … Conservation status Vulnerable. It smells like buttered popcorn, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't taste like popcorn. No joke. They advertise themselves as conservation & such but I am unsure/on the fence with how much or how they do so.) Unfortunately, the origin of the name is unknown because people no longer speak the indigenous language and there is … They smell like buttered popcorn. Distribution of the Binturong MikeLane45 via Getty Images Scientists say they've solved why bearcats, or bintorongs, smell like hot popcorn. He's famously fragrant, often described as smelling like hot buttered popcorn. And for good reason — the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by binturong pee, according to Prof. Drea and co-authors. Binturongs live in the canopies of tall, dense, tropical forests. The musk glands emit an odor reminiscent of popcorn or corn chips, likely due to the volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the urine, which is also produced in the Maillard reaction at high temperatures. Like other members of the Viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail. What is a viverrid, you ask? And for good reason — the chemical compound that … Unlike most other carnivorans, the male binturong does not have a baculum. The binturong or bearcat is known for its smell that has been compared to hot buttered popcorn. Scientists have determined that this scent comes from a compound in binturong pee. Habitat of the Binturong. All Rights Reserved. During the day they generally sleep high in the forest canopy and love to bask in the Sun. Instead, they’re most closely related to civets, which are lean, cat-like mammals. It forms a distinct genus, with nine described subspecies which vary little in appearance. And for good reason -- the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by binturong pee, finds a new … The estimated average weight for the species ranges from 9 to 20 kg. Binturong have been described as having a distinct smell similar to that of popcorn or corn chips. What the heck is a Binturong? If you were to make this compound, you would have to use temperatures above what most animals can achieve physiologically,” Prof. Drea said. They also drag their tails as they move about in the trees, leaving a scent trail on the branches and leaves behind them. They are primarily nocturnal. Why Binturong Smells Like Buttered Popcorn . When frightened, they spray their musk, which smells like buttered popcorn. They've also figured out that the smell is not coming from the scent glands under their tails as previously thought. September 6, 2018 The Science Thinkers 0 Comments. “How does this animal make a cooking smell, but without cooking? It drags its tail as it moves around, leaving a popcorn-like smell to mark its territories. Mmm, popcorn. Why Binturongs' Pee Smells Like Buttery Popcorn. Binturongs are widespread in south and Southeast Asia occurring in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China (Yunnan province), India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines (Palawan), Thailand, and Viet Nam. Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine. Meet the bearcat (also called the binturong), a small, shy, bushy-tailed mammal ... that also happens to smell exactly like buttered popcorn. “A more likely explanation is that 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is produced when binturong urine comes in contact with bacteria and other microorganisms that live on the animal’s skin or fur or in its gut,” the scientists said. Latest. The bearcat. The same compound is also responsible for the comforting aromas of toasted bread and cooked rice. The binturong is a viverrid. Binturongs are classed as carnivores but eat most anything that suits their fancy: mainly fruits, but also vegetables, birds, small mammals, and fish. “The question was: how do they do it? By Grennan Milliken. Longevity. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn. Tapir: The Ancient Fruitarian With the Tiny Trunk, Bobcats Are Back From the Brink (and Possibly in Your Backyard), Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn Tarongas binturong baby smells popcorn; Taronga’s new Binturong cub is starting to explore its exhibit and keen-eyed visitors, with the help of their noses, may spot the cub exploring its lush home at Wild Asia. But if you walk past a binturong, that’s precisely the scent you’ll notice. “Bacteria make smelly compounds as they break down sweat in our armpits in much the same way.”, “The time-release action of the microbes could help the binturongs’ urine smell-o-grams last long after the animals move on, an essential mode of communication for solitary animals that rarely encounter each other.”, Lydia K. Greene et al. They require thick vegetation, both in the trees and on the ground. Or popcorn smells like binturongs. Got to let it as he passed by. To use this video for broadcast or in a commercial player please email newsdesk@newsflare.com or call +44 … They are classified as carnivores but eat most anything that suits their fancy: mainly fruits, but also vegetables, birds, small mammals, and fish. The body length is 24 to 38 inches (60 to 96 cm). They are able to turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees when they are climbing down headfirst. I guess it depends on your perspective. Tarongas binturong baby smells popcorn Taronga’s new Binturong cub is starting to explore its exhibit and keen-eyed visitors, with the help of their noses, may spot the cub exploring its lush home at Wild Asia. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Only one of their most striking features is exactly what it has the aroma of – people frequently express it evokes recollections of hot, buttered popcorn. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. When binturongs pee, they squat, and the urine soaks their feet and tails. If you love going to the movies this is the encounter for you, since our Binturong smells of popcorn! Aggressive as it is, the binturong smells like popcorn. The compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline normally forms in popcorn during the popping process, when heat kicks off reactions between sugars and amino acids in the corn kernels. What a Strange Name! It could be that binturong pee smells funny because of something they eat.”. As they travel, binturongs rub a pungent substance produced in their scent glands onto branches and foliage. I’ve had a binturong walk across my lap at a animal reserve kind of place. A binturong is a Southeast Asian Animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn. https://www.thedodo.com/binturong-animal-smells-popcorn-1808008048.html Let's find out more. Records from outside this range include a 1928 record from Guangxi, China, a record from Calauit Island, Philippines, and several from Cambodia. Special glands on the rumps of binturongs, or bearcats, excrete a chemical that smells like popcorn. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. This is the binturong… Females live approximately 15 years and males about 18. Adults grow to 2–3 feet long and weigh 30–50 pounds. They are one of the few carnivores which have a prehensile tail. The binturong has a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn. The binturong, also known as bearcat, is a heavily built, robust civet with a fearsome appearance and is one of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail. The binturong. Step 2 : Answer to the question "The bearcat or binturong has a distinctive scent that smells like ...\u00a0" Popcorn: Please let us know as comment, if the answer is not correct! Two animals which may prey on them are the dhole or the tiger. A binturong is a Southeast Asian Animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn. Diy. Reproductive endocrine patterns and volatile urinary compounds of Arctictis binturong: discovering why bearcats smell like popcorn. Boogle is the most gentle soul you could hope to meet and he can’t wait to make new friends. We couldn’t play with it like this guy in the video. The animal looks like a cross between a cat and a bear. A binturong hangs upside down at the Singapore Zoo. This little guy may look a bit unusual but smells divine! As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. Please note: We cannot get walkers or wheelchairs into this exhibit. A team of scientists led by Prof. Christine Drea of Duke University has identified a chemical compound that gives binturongs (Arctictis binturong) their characteristic scent. Binturong - Photo: Rudmer Zwerver/Shutterstock . Quick facts. Sci-News.com. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn. Whatever you call this shy, shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia, many people who have met one notice the same thing: it smells like a movie theater snack bar.Most describe it as hot buttered popcorn. The Answer: The animal you are thinking of is called a binturong or "Asian bear cat" as it is sometimes called. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. And its appearance isn’t even its strangest quality. Life span Approx 20 years. That's actually the animal's pee, which shares the chemical compound that gives popcorn its savory scent. Their life span in a protected environment is about 10-20 years. Cookies if you continue to use our website that of popcorn or chips... Pungent substance produced in their scent or musk glands produced in their glands... Is about 10-20 years scent you ’ ll notice why binturong smells popcorn... 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The tiger s precisely the scent of buttered popcorn Viverridae, the team identified 29 chemical compounds in the.... Its appearance isn ’ t even its strangest quality the binturong population has decreased by 30 % to. Of many distinctions famously fragrant, often described as smelling like hot, buttered popcorn spectrometry, binturong... The Southeast Asian animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of,... Chemical compounds in the video about binturong, that ’ s a movie theatre.! 9 to 20 kg along with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot buttered. Branches and foliage and cooked rice advertise themselves as conservation & such but I am unsure/on fence... A unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn of is called a binturong is a mammal of distinctions... The chemical compound that … why binturong smells of popcorn this video is by!