In a paper appearing online in the journal Science of Nature, they analyzed urine samples collected during routine physical examinations of 33 binturongs at Carolina Tiger Rescue, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary in Pittsboro, North Carolina. If you were to make this compound, you would have to use temperatures above what most animals can achieve physiologically,” Prof. Drea said. Binturongs are widespread in south and Southeast Asia occurring in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China (Yunnan province), India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines (Palawan), Thailand, and Viet Nam. The binturong. The compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline normally forms in popcorn during the popping process, when heat kicks off reactions between sugars and amino acids in the corn kernels. As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. See more ideas about Binturong, Animals, Mammals. Like many other species in the family Viverridae, the binturong has a scent gland which is located under its tail. In females, these are on either side of the vulva while in males they are found between the scrotum and penis. The binturong or bearcat is known for its smell that has been compared to hot buttered popcorn. The binturong’s an inquisitive animal, and appears something similar to a mix from a raccoon along with a stuffed animal. Instead, they’re most closely related to civets, which are lean, cat-like mammals. https://www.thedodo.com/binturong-animal-smells-popcorn-1808008048.html The urine of these unusual Southeast Asian mammals smells uncannily like this favorite movie theater treat. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn They mark their territory with their smell. Latest. Their hair coloration can vary from black to brown with white, silver, or rust on the tips, which gives these animals a grizzled appearance. The binturong smells like buttery, delicious popcorn because of a chemical in its urine. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. The bearcat. Binturong have been described as having a distinct smell similar to that of popcorn or corn chips. Quick facts. Binturongs are classed as carnivores but eat most anything that suits their fancy: mainly fruits, but also vegetables, birds, small mammals, and fish. These glands are located under its tail and secrete a musk that is said to smell like popcorn. YOU CAN FIND ME AT W17. The musk glands emit an odor reminiscent of popcorn or corn chips, likely due to the volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the urine, which is also produced in the Maillard reaction at high temperatures. And its appearance isn’t even its strangest quality. The real meaning of the binturongs name is not known because the language that its name came from is now extinct. Binturong smells of popcorn This video is managed by Newsflare. Photo credit: Wikimedia. Prof. Drea and her colleagues searched for 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the binturongs’ kibble, the one cooked item in their diet, but they didn’t detect any. Records from outside this range include a 1928 record from Guangxi, China, a record from Calauit Island, Philippines, and several from Cambodia. I guess it depends on your perspective. As they travel, binturongs rub a pungent substance produced in their scent glands onto branches and foliage. Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. A binturong is a Southeast Asian Animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Isaac Hayes's "Hot Buttered Soul" is actually about the urine of this bearcat. No joke. Using a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the team identified 29 chemical compounds in the animals’ urine. They are able to turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees when they are climbing down headfirst. Why Binturong Smells Like Buttered Popcorn . The same compound is also responsible for the comforting aromas of toasted bread and cooked rice. Tarongas binturong baby smells popcorn Taronga’s new Binturong cub is starting to explore its exhibit and keen-eyed visitors, with the help of their noses, may spot the cub exploring its lush home at Wild Asia. Nov 28, 2018 - Explore Ronnie Owens's board "Binturong Bearcat Odd Colored", followed by 150 people on Pinterest. That’s because part of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are home to the Binturong – a cat like a carnivore with pee smells like buttered popcorn. Females are around 20 percent larger than males. He's famously fragrant, often described as smelling like hot buttered popcorn. The one compound that emanated from every sample was 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same compound that gives popcorn its tantalizing scent. Science of Nature 103: 37; doi: 10.1007/s00114-016-1361-4, © 2011-2020. 2 The Binturong Smells Like Buttered Popcorn. All Rights Reserved. Whatever you call this shy, shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia, many people who have met one notice the same thing: it smells like a movie theater snack bar.Most describe it as hot buttered popcorn. Posted on April 14, 2016. Notably, his smell. Wandering through the forests of south-east Asia and you might suddenly wonder if there’s a movie theatre nearby. April 14, 2016. The animals use the odor to mark territory as well as to attract mates. And for good reason -- the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by binturong pee, finds a new … When binturongs pee, they squat, and the urine soaks their feet and tails. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. The animal looks like a cross between a cat and a bear. Conservation . Adults grow to 2–3 feet long and weigh 30–50 pounds. Whatever you call this shy, shaggy-haired creature from Southeast Asia, many people who have met one notice the same thing: it smells like a movie theater snack bar.Most describe it as hot buttered popcorn. Like other members of the Viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail. This same black fur is known to cast a smell that is similar to popcorn. Binturong - Photo: WeStudio/Shutterstock . “Bacteria make smelly compounds as they break down sweat in our armpits in much the same way.”, “The time-release action of the microbes could help the binturongs’ urine smell-o-grams last long after the animals move on, an essential mode of communication for solitary animals that rarely encounter each other.”, Lydia K. Greene et al. Please note: We cannot get walkers or wheelchairs into this exhibit. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. The binturong is a fierce, canopy-dwelling carnivore, with a prehensile tail, a sweet tooth for figs, and it smells like buttered popcorn; it is also threatened. 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