This bearcat was so eager to eat this banana that it climbed onto my shoulders to get it! 😆✨ Many people don’t know that bearcats, also called binturongs, are actually related to civets and aren’t bears or cats at all! They’re one of the only mammals with a truly prehensile tail, almost like a fifth limb for climbing. Also the rumors are true, they do smell like buttered popcorn! 🍿😋 Getting a chance to feed this amazing animal at Wildlife Secrets Abu Dhabi was so exciting! 🐻😻 | The Reptile

The binturong, also known as a bearcat, is a unique mammal native to the forests of Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it’s neither a bear nor a cat but belongs to the civet family. With its long, bushy tail and thick black fur, the binturong is an excellent climber, using its prehensile tail for balance and grip. One of its most fascinating traits is its scent—it smells like buttery popcorn due to a compound in its urine! Binturongs are mostly nocturnal and love feasting on fruits, playing a cru