Bear Cat (Arctitis binturong)

Family: VIVERRIDAE

The twelve viverrids in Borneo form a diverse group without a common diagnostic feature overall. However, some features are common to most species: (1) muzzle rather pointed and tail long relative to body (the Otter Civet, Cynogale bennettii, has a broad muzzle and short tail); (2) total of 40 teeth (the Banded Linsang, Prionodon linsang, has 38); (3) perineal scent glands (absent in the Banded Linsang, P. linsang, male Small-toothed Palm Civet, Arctogalidia trivirgata, and mongooses, Herpestes spp., although mongooses have small anal glands).

Mongooses can be distinguished in the field from civets by their sharply pointed muzzle, tapering tail with hair longer near the base than at the tip, rather slender legs with long claws, diurnal activity, and posture while walking with hindquarters arched above the level of the forequarters and tail. Some zoologists place the mongooses in their own family, Herpestidae.

The viverrids share many features with the mustelids, but the latter have fewer teeth and lack perineal scent glands.

Measurements: HB 610-965, T 500-840, HF 118-180 (4 specimens). Wt 6-7.5 kg (2 specimens).

Identification: Entirely black with a variable amount of whitish or reddish grizzling. Hair coarse and long. Ears with long tufts of hair. Tail long, thickly haired especially near base, and prehensile (able to grasp branches). Similar species: the Sun Bear, Helarctos malayanus, is larger, has a short tail and no ear tufts; melanistic (dark) forms of cats have shorter hair, a slender, non-prehensile tail and no ear tufts.

Ecology and Habitat: Arboreal and terrestrial. Mainly active at night but sometimes during the day as well. Moves slowly in trees, using the tail for balance and to cling to branches while feeding. Diet includes ripe fruits, especially figs, and small animals. Occurs in tall and secondary forests; sometimes enters cultivated areas near to forest.

Distribution: Borneo: A.b.penicillata. Known from the Kelabit uplands and G.Penrissen in Sarawak.