They are able to turn their ankles backwards so that their claws can still grip the trees when they are climbing down headfirst. The binturong’s an inquisitive animal, and appears something similar to a mix from a raccoon along with a stuffed animal.Only one of their most striking features is exactly what it has the aroma of – people frequently express it evokes recollections of hot, buttered popcorn. As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. If this animal isn’t cool enough already, it also has a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn, coming from glands near its tail. They've also figured out that the smell is not coming from the scent glands under their tails as previously thought. The Binturong or Asian Bearcat: The Only Mammal that Smells Like Popcorn As with many other members of its genus and family, the Binturong has scent glands it uses to mark trees and foliage. This is the binturong… 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 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 … Let's find out more. A 40-pound mammal creeps along a tree branch in a steamy forest. Binturong - Photo: Rudmer Zwerver/Shutterstock . The one compound that emanated from every sample was 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same compound that gives popcorn its tantalizing scent. Many people who have met these creatures notice the same thing: they smell like hot buttered popcorn. It smells like buttered popcorn, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't taste like popcorn. Apparently scent isn’t always the best guide of what to eat - after all, bearcat pee smells like hot buttered popcorn. Binturongs pee in a squatting position, soaking their feet and bushy tails in the process. A team of scientists led by Prof. Christine Drea of Duke University has identified a chemical compound that gives binturongs (Arctictis binturong) their characteristic scent. They smell like buttered popcorn. It forms a distinct genus, with nine described subspecies which vary little in appearance. September 6, 2018 The Science Thinkers 0 Comments. The binturong has a unique scent that smells like buttered popcorn. What a Strange Name! The animals use the odor to mark territory as well as to attract mates. Quick facts. Mmm, popcorn. The animal looks like a cross between a cat and a bear. When frightened, they spray their musk, which smells like buttered popcorn. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Or popcorn smells like binturongs. Two animals which may prey on them are the dhole or the tiger. This is likely due to an odor they emit from their scent or musk glands. Conservation status Vulnerable. Why Binturongs' Pee Smells Like Buttery Popcorn. “A more likely explanation is that 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is produced when binturong urine comes in contact with bacteria and other microorganisms that live on the animal’s skin or fur or in its gut,” the scientists said. And its appearance isn’t even its strangest quality. 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. A binturong is a Southeast Asian Animal with a specific smell that makes a lot of people think of hot, buttered popcorn. Longevity. What’s even weirder is the creature's smell: It gives off the scent of buttered popcorn! They require thick vegetation, both in the trees and on the ground. “The question was: how do they do it? Binturongs have a very unique smell, which is like popcorn. Unlike most other carnivorans, the male binturong does not have a baculum. It drags its tail as it moves around, leaving a popcorn-like smell to mark its territories. Distribution of the Binturong They mark their territory with their smell. According to the scientists, male binturongs secrete more 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline than females. Latest. This allows them to create a scent trail whenever they move through the rainforests they call home, marking their territory and signaling their locations to other binturongs. Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine. And for good reason — the chemical compound that gives freshly made popcorn its mouthwatering smell is also the major aroma emitted by binturong pee, according to Prof. Drea and co-authors. 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