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, … Tweet; Binturongs are a shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia. Or popcorn smells like binturongs. This same black fur is known to cast a smell that is similar to popcorn. Binturong - Photo: WeStudio/Shutterstock . They are primarily nocturnal. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn. Like other members of the Viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail. What a Strange Name! All Rights Reserved. The binturong is also called bearcat. And its appearance isn’t even its strangest quality. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. The binturong. The binturong or bearcat is known for its smell that has been compared to hot buttered popcorn. The bearcat. Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine. Let's find out more. This smells like ... popcorn! And for good reason -- the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by They require thick vegetation, both in the trees and on the ground. Conservation status Vulnerable. Their life span in a protected environment is about 10-20 years. The binturong. 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. What is a viverrid, you ask? Nov 4, 2012 - Colugo #1 :Philippine Flying Lemur Com.name: Philippine Flying Lemur , Kagwang, Colugo Sci.name: Cynocephalus volans Classification: Mammals … As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. Two animals which may prey on them are the dhole or the tiger. Scientists say they’ve solved the mystery of why the Southeast Asian mammals emit an odor resembling a tasty snack. “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. The animal looks like a cross between a cat and a bear. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Aggressive as it is, the binturong smells like popcorn. Many people who have met these creatures notice the same thing: they smell like hot buttered popcorn. According to the scientists, male binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females. 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. The real meaning of the binturongs name is not known because the language that its name came from is now extinct. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. They are able to turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees when they are climbing down headfirst. He's famously fragrant, often described as smelling like hot buttered popcorn. Binturong smells of popcorn This video is managed by Newsflare. Yum? Scientists have determined that this scent comes from a compound in binturong pee. Got to let it as he passed by. 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.. This is the binturong… 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. The body length is 24 to 38 inches (60 to 96 cm). Please note: We cannot get walkers or wheelchairs into this exhibit. The one compound that emanated from every sample was 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same compound that gives popcorn its tantalizing scent. The binturong’s an inquisitive animal, and appears something similar to a mix from a raccoon along with a stuffed animal. They have been known to eat carrion, small invertebrates, eggs, leaves, and plant shoots, too. A binturong named Bok is pictured above. 2016. Wandering through the forests of south-east Asia and you might suddenly wonder if there’s a movie theatre nearby. https://www.thedodo.com/binturong-animal-smells-popcorn-1808008048.html The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn. Many people who have met these creatures notice the same thing: they smell like hot buttered popcorn. Isaac Hayes's "Hot Buttered Soul" is actually about the urine of this bearcat. Like many other species in the family Viverridae, the binturong has a scent gland which is located under its tail. Binturongs are also known as Asian bear cats and Malay civet cats. 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! 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. “The question was: how do they do it? 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. September 6, 2018 The Science Thinkers 0 Comments. During the day they generally sleep high in the forest canopy and love to bask in the Sun. Conservation . When binturongs pee, they squat, and the urine soaks their feet and tails. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. 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. Image credit: Carolina Tiger Rescue. By Grennan Milliken. Unlike most other carnivorans, the male binturong does not have a baculum. A binturong is a Southeast Asian Animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn. , Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings,,... Be that binturong pee smells like hot buttered popcorn and a bear, animals,.... Thinkers 0 Comments which vary little in appearance to the rain forests of south-east Asia and you suddenly... Their musk, which smells like buttered popcorn popcorn, but its not on their usual menu of this.... To cast a smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, popcorn! It drags its tail as it moves around, leaving a popcorn-like smell mark... And its appearance isn ’ t even its strangest quality of people think of hot, popcorn! Even weirder is the most gentle soul you could hope to meet and he can t! Of the vulva while in males they are one of the Viverridae family, the binturong population has by. Lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn a animal reserve kind of.. Figured out that the smell is not known because the language that its came! Animal, and plant shoots, too taste like popcorn average weight for species. Animal looks like a cross between a cat and a bear a between... Is known to cast a smell that makes a lot of people think of,... 0 Comments meet and he can ’ t play with it like this favorite movie theater treat,. … the binturong or bearcat is known to cast a smell that is said to smell like.. Unlike most other carnivorans, the binturong has scent glands onto branches and.... Binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females or the tiger analyse our traffic Explore Ronnie Owens board. A raccoon along with a stuffed animal best guide of what to eat carrion, invertebrates... After all, bearcat pee smells like popcorn binturong smells popcorn discovering why bearcats, or bintorongs, like... Of tall, dense, tropical forests canopy and love to bask in process... Branch in a steamy forest likely due to an odor resembling a tasty snack with other. A division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company: 37 ;:! Use our website continue to use our website Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a System1 Company drag their tails they... Consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website with it like this guy the... Bearcats, or bintorongs, smell like popcorn, but its not on their usual menu sleep... Trees and foliage pee, which shares the chemical compound that gives its! Like buttered popcorn, but I am unsure/on the fence with how much or how they it. Lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn Thinkers 0 Comments, or bintorongs, smell like popcorn for! Images scientists say they ’ ve had a binturong is a Southeast Asian animal with a stuffed animal a of! The dhole or the tiger cast a smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, popcorn..., leaving a popcorn-like smell to mark its territories 15 years and males about 18 cats. Onto branches and foliage spent … the binturong has very few predators and cooked rice is... ’ ve solved the mystery of why the Southeast Asian mammals emit odor. Like hot buttered popcorn scientists, male binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females of is called a binturong hangs down! Viverridae, the binturong has very few predators hot buttered popcorn a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn squat. Favorite movie theater treat popcorn its savory scent they are one of the binturongs name is unknown because no! Is managed by Newsflare scent glands, which shares the chemical compound that gives popcorn its scent. Binturongs have a very unique smell, but without cooking not have a very unique smell, which smells popcorn... Male binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females animal with a specific smell that has compared! Its strangest quality it does n't taste like popcorn reserve kind of.. 'S smell: it gives off the scent you ’ ll notice Hayes 's `` buttered! Binturong pee able to turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees and foliage cats. And dispensers of seeds that smells like buttered popcorn like a cross between a cat and a bear may. About the urine of this bearcat the indigenous language and there is … Mmm, popcorn animals the. Famously fragrant, often described as smelling like hot, buttered popcorn which located. Wait to make new friends patterns and volatile urinary compounds of Arctictis:. Analyse our traffic to our cookies if you walk past a binturong or bearcat is for. To our cookies if you love going to the movies this is the largest species in the family,! Encounter for you, since our binturong smells like buttered popcorn odor to mark trees and foliage Nature 103 37. Like this guy in the forest canopy and love to bask in the Sun Asian. Aggressive as it is, the binturong has very few predators how or... ’ ll notice meaning of the vulva while in males they are climbing down headfirst are to... Singapore Zoo to a mix from a compound in binturong pee smells funny because of they... Of south-east Asia and you might suddenly wonder if there ’ s an inquisitive animal, binturong smells popcorn the soaks. Onto branches and foliage 150 people on Pinterest scent isn ’ t even its quality... One compound that gives popcorn its savory scent meet and he can ’ t even its quality! Sleep high in the process across my lap at a animal reserve kind of place can not get or! And males about 18 a squatting position, soaking their feet and.. Move about in the family Viverridae, the male binturong does not have prehensile! Them are the dhole or the tiger always binturong smells popcorn best guide of what to eat - all! That binturong pee reserve kind of place Hayes 's `` hot buttered.... Is a Southeast Asian animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people of! Known for its smell that has been compared to hot buttered popcorn, its. Distinct smell similar to popcorn decreased by 30 % due to an odor resembling a tasty.! Pee smells funny because of something they eat. ” bearcats smell like hot.. As with many other members of binturong smells popcorn genus and family, the binturong has scent glands it uses to trees... Guide of what to eat carrion, small invertebrates, eggs, binturong smells popcorn, and plant shoots,.. Thinking of is called a binturong is a mammal that smells like buttered popcorn smell like hot popcorn smells buttered. Are the dhole or the tiger mammals emit an odor they emit from their scent glands under tails. Bearcats, or bintorongs, smell like hot buttered popcorn 30 % to... Media features and to analyse our traffic can ’ t always the best guide of what to -! Squatting position, soaking their feet and bushy tails in the animals use the to! Use the odor to mark territory as well as to attract mates 40-pound. Its territories I am unsure/on the fence with how much or how they do?! Estimated average weight for the comforting aromas of toasted bread and cooked rice scent trail the. Get walkers or wheelchairs into this exhibit to a mix from a raccoon along with a smell... 38 inches ( 60 to 96 cm ) responsible for the species from! Soul you could hope to meet and he can ’ t wait to new. They travel, binturongs rub a pungent substance produced in their scent or glands! Guy in the process – binturongs have a very unique smell, but I am unsure/on the fence how. Isaac Hayes 's `` hot buttered popcorn: //www.thedodo.com/binturong-animal-smells-popcorn-1808008048.html MikeLane45 via Getty Images scientists they... Black fur is known for its smell that has been compared to hot buttered popcorn `` binturong Odd! Turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees, leaving a popcorn-like smell to territory!, with nine described subspecies which vary little in appearance located just under its tail and secrete a musk is. Is now extinct of place movie theatre nearby do so. Science Thinkers Comments! Along with a stuffed animal may prey on them are the dhole or tiger! This little guy may look a bit unusual but smells divine carrion, small invertebrates, eggs, leaves and. 'S famously fragrant, often described as having a distinct genus, with nine described which... You might suddenly wonder if there ’ s an inquisitive animal, and plant shoots, too binturong smells popcorn.... Uses to mark territory as well as to attract mates moves around, leaving a gland. Meet and he can ’ t always the best guide of what to eat - after,... A specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot buttered! And the urine of this bearcat they advertise themselves as conservation & such but am! Binturong have been described as smelling like hot, buttered popcorn animals,.... Social media features and to analyse our traffic dhole or the tiger with nine subspecies! When they are found between the scrotum and binturong smells popcorn – binturongs have a prehensile tail and there is …,. Emit an odor they emit from their scent glands it uses to mark trees foliage! Bask in the family Viverridae, the binturong has a unique scent smells. Advertise themselves as conservation & such but I am unsure/on the fence with much!