Wildlifeof Thailand
Binturong
Viverridae
Photo: Jay Pruett · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Arctictis binturong
Basic stats
Diet
Mostly fruit, especially figs, with birds, rodents, eggs, fish and other animal food
Habitat
Tall, dense tropical forest
Range
South and Southeast Asia
Weight
Around 20kg
The binturong is one of the largest civets, with a heavy body, short legs, coarse black fur, thick white whiskers and a muscular prehensile tail nearly as long as the torso. Weight is around 20 kg, and females are larger than males. Joined third and fourth hind toes and strong claws help it grip branches (Animal Diversity Web).
It is mainly arboreal and nocturnal in tall tropical forest across South and Southeast Asia, moving slowly through trees and often descending to cross canopy gaps. Fruit, especially figs, dominates the diet, but birds, rodents, eggs and fish are also eaten. Animals are usually solitary, though family groups occur (Animal Diversity Web). It is Nationally Vulnerable (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Binturong eat?
- Mostly fruit, especially figs, with birds, rodents, eggs, fish and other animal food
- What habitat does the Binturong live in?
- Tall, dense tropical forest
- Where is the Binturong found?
- South and Southeast Asia
- How much does the Binturong weigh?
- Around 20kg