The binturong is famous for producing droppings that can smell like buttered popcorn.
This unusual scent comes from a chemical compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which is also associated with the aroma of popcorn and some cooked rice. The compound passes through the animal’s digestive system and becomes noticeable in its feces, giving zoos a memorable way to explain the species’ biology.
Binturongs are arboreal mammals from South and Southeast Asia. They have a long, shaggy body, a prehensile tail, and plantigrade feet that help them move through branches. Despite being called bearcats, they are neither bears nor cats; they belong to the civet family, Viverridae.
Binturongs eat fruit, small animals, eggs, and other foods. They are important seed dispersers, especially for the seeds of large fruits. Their wild populations face pressure from habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade.