Can you keep a binturong as a pet? Here’s what you need to know

Can you keep a binturong as a pet? At first glance, it looks like a mix between a cat and a bear. The binturong is truly one of a kind in the animal kingdom—not only charming with its unique appearance but also surprising with its distinct scent. Despite some viral social media videos suggesting otherwise, this fascinating creature is by no means suitable as a pet. Let’s dive into what makes the binturong so special and why it should remain wild.

Binturong’s unique lifestyle and habitat

The binturong, also known as the bearcat or the Asian civet, is an excellent climber that spends most of its life high in the forest canopy. Native to the tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia, these creatures are masters of the treetops and generally avoid human settlements. Seeing a binturong on the ground is rare because their home is far above, where their strong, prehensile tail acts like a fifth limb, helping them hold onto branches and move gracefully through the dense foliage.

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Measuring about 2 to 3 feet long without including their tail, binturongs appear a bit awkward when on the ground but are true experts at climbing. Although related to civets and genets—members of the Viverridae family—their closest relatives, they are only distantly connected to common housecats. Their stocky, elongated bodies and thick, dark fur make them perfectly adapted to silent, nocturnal life in the rainforest.

Unlike typical carnivores, binturongs are opportunistic eaters but lean heavily toward a plant-based diet. Their favorite snack? Figs. These creatures forage under the cover of night, moving quietly in search of food, which often consists of fruits, leaves, and occasional small animals. Their stealth and dietary habits play an essential role in maintaining the health and diversity of their forest ecosystems.

Binturong’s fascinating biological features

Beyond their tree-dwelling lifestyle and appearance, binturongs boast some of the most intriguing traits in the animal world. One of their most talked-about features is their smell. Yes, they actually smell like freshly popped popcorn. This scent comes from special glands located beneath their tail, which they use to mark their territory.

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Another remarkable biological trait involves their reproduction. Female binturongs can delay the implantation of a fertilized egg in their uterus, a rare and fascinating reproductive strategy. This delay allows them to time the birth of their young when environmental factors, such as food supply and climate, are just right, giving the baby binturongs a better chance at survival.

These adaptations show how perfectly the binturong fits its wild habitat, evolving traits that ensure its survival in some of the densest and most competitive rainforest environments. It reminds me of how nature always finds incredible solutions to the challenges animals face.

Why the binturong is not a pet

Despite their seemingly gentle and slow-moving nature, binturongs are wild animals and belong in their natural environment—not in homes. Videos circulating on social platforms may capture adorable moments, but these animals are not suited to life as pets.

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Christoph May, a spokesperson for the World Animal Protection Society, states, “Wild animals do not belong in private homes, as their natural needs—such as diet and social interaction with their species—cannot be met properly.” Binturongs are nocturnal, arboreal creatures, meaning they are active at night and spend most of their time in trees—a lifestyle nearly impossible to replicate in captivity.

Attempting to keep a binturong as a pet can lead to severe welfare issues. Their diet is complex and must be carefully monitored, and they require vast spaces to climb and roam. Most importantly, these animals thrive in social groups and rely on interactions with others of their kind to meet emotional and physical needs.

I’ve been lucky enough to observe binturongs in rescue centers, and the difference between their behavior in captivity and their natural habitat is striking. While caretakers strive to enrich their environments, nothing truly compares to the freedom and complexity of the wild.

Would you ever consider keeping an exotic wild animal as a pet? What are your thoughts on the responsibility and challenges involved? Share your opinions below—we’d love to hear from you!

If you found this story interesting, don’t forget to share it with friends and family who love animals and wildlife. Let’s spread awareness about these extraordinary creatures and why they deserve to stay wild.