The document discusses various carnivorous mammals, focusing on the binturong. It notes that binturongs, also known as bearcats, are part of the viverrid family, which are commonly known as civets. Binturongs have several unique characteristics, including prehensile tails nearly as long as their bodies, crepuscular behavior, and the ability to delay embryo implantation. Their scent also differs from other carnivores in that their anal gland secretions smell like popcorn. However, binturong numbers have declined in recent decades due to habitat loss and wildlife trade.

1. The Weird World of Carnivores, or,
My Favorite Viverrid
By Hannah Darcy
PUI April 4, 2020

2. There is a whole world of
weird Carnivores you
probably don’t know about

3. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Caniformia (dog-
like)
Feliformia (cat-
like)

4. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Mongooses

5. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Fossa +
Madagascar
Mongooses

6. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Hyenas + Aardwolf

7. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Linsangs

8. From Van Valkenburg 2014
African Palm
Civet

9. From Van Valkenburg 2014
Viverrids
AKA, the Civets

10. What’s in a name?
“Civet oil strengthens the Head, Brain, Heart and Spirits wonderfully”
-William Salmon, 1678 in Pharmacopoeia Londinensis
“smells very pungent and fecal but which gives an amazing radiance and
warmth to florals.”
-Fragrantica.com
The animals are named after the product “civet”, an oily anal gland secretion
used in perfumes and artificial flavors (and Ye Olde boner juice)

11. Perfumes with
“Notes of Civet”
Unclear if civet
oil or civetone

12. Ok, enough gross stuff
Meet the
Binturong!

13. BINTURONGS! Also known as bearcats or bear weasels

14. Fun Facts!
The meaning of the word binturong is
unknown. The language it was derived from is
now extinct
Tail nearly as long as the body
Prehensile tails
Crepuscular; known to move 1-3 miles in a
single day
Important dispersers of the strangler fig

15. They make lots of noises
They’re pretty derpy
Chuckle = happy
High-pitched wail or growl = irritated
Low grunts or hisses = walking around
Purring = female looking for love

16. Expert Planners
Females can delay implantation of an embryo
They mate throughout the year, but most
babies born January-March
One of approx. 100 mammals that can delay
implantation
Lets them wait for favorable environment
before giving birth, no matter how long ago
they encountered a male

18. Theirs smells like
popcorn!!!
Why can’t all butts smell
that good?
They are civets after all, which means
civet oil

19. Their numbers have declined 30%
in recent decades
Deforestation
Wildlife trade in the Philippines
Skin/fur trade in Laos
Considered a delicacy in Vietnam

22. Thank You!