According to the San Diego Zoo website, the fur of the binturong, or more commonly known as the Asian bearcat, smells like popcorn. Indigenous to the rain forests in Southeast Asia, the binturong is a small omnivore similar to a mongoose and is a stealthy tree dwelling creature. It enjoys creeping up on its prey in absolute silence and does not hesitate to take on a large challenger when protecting its territory, the website said.

The binturong gets it informal name from its appearance and physique. Its small head with a cat-like snout and small, round body makes it appear as if a mad scientist engineered an animal that is big enough for protection, crafty like a cat, but still ugly. Asian bearcats also like to harass passersby. When a person or other creature walks by, the bearcat makes a sound similar to that of somebody chuckling. It makes a wide range of sounds such as hissing, grunts, and the occasional howl. These little guys just do not like keeping to themselves.

Although the Asian bearcat will eat fish, birds and small mammals, they eat a hefty amount of fruit. It is more of a convenience than a preference though. Binturongs will spend most of their day up in the high canopy trees where they are safe from external threats. They also are nocturnal so during the daytime hours they need a safe place to sleep so they are not brutally eaten while dreaming of fairies and sugar plums.

The scent is believed to come from a gland near the tail. It is very similar to that of a skunk in the sense that it lets intruders know they are in someone else’s territory. As the scent is a pleasant odor to humans, it is very bothersome to other binturongs. The scent comes from an oily substance that is on the tail. As a binturong climbs up a tree the tail will drag along leaving the scent and marking that area as their own.

The only animal slightly confused with the Asian bearcat are sloths. Since they are both tree dwelling creatures researchers need a clear view to distinguish the difference. Though upon a short examination binturongs are completely unique and a slightly odd species. The binturong maybe different from the norm but hey, what other animal smells like salty buttery popcorn?!

* ALL INFORMATION GATHERED FROM SANDIEGOZOO.ORG