Rare Southeast Asian Binturongs make their debut in the Big Bend.
One of the most beloved attractions in Florida’s Capital City just got a little wilder.
The Tallahassee Museum has welcomed a fascinating new guest animal: the Binturong. Now on display, these rare Southeast Asian mammals offer a unique wildlife experience for families looking to explore the animal kingdom right here in the Big Bend.
What exactly is a Binturong?
Despite their nickname, binturongs are neither bears nor cats. They belong to the family Viverridae, an ancient lineage dating back 40-50 million years that closely resembles the ancestors of modern carnivores. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, these tree-dwelling mammals are famous for their prehensile tails, which they use to navigate the forest canopy. While they are technically in the order Carnivora, they are actually omnivores that prefer a diet primarily of fruit.
The Nose Knows: A Scent You Won’t Forget
The most remarkable thing about the binturong isn’t how they look—it’s how they smell…