ORDER CARNIVORA: CARNIVORES 245 



Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Palawan. Never- 

 theless, it is evidently in need of total protection, more especially 

 because of the demands upon it by the Chinese for medicinal pur- 

 poses. 



There has long been uncertainty as to the exact taxonomic status 

 of the various described forms, owing chiefly to the inadequacy of 

 the series of museum specimens. The species as a whole is dis- 

 tinguished from all other Viverridae by its long ear tufts and by 

 the prehensile nature of its long, bushy tail. The fur is long, coarse, 

 and black, more or less washed with gray, fulvous, or buff. (Lydek- 

 ker, 1893-1894, p. 463.) The present subspecies is larger and darker 

 than A. b. penicillatus; its winter coat is much shorter and less 

 luxuriant with underwool than that of albijrons, and the long hairs 

 are less extensively annulated with lighter color (Pocock, 1933, 

 p. 1030). Body, 30 inches; tail, nearly the same (Raffles, 1821, 

 p. 253). 



The Malay Binturong inhabits the Malay Peninsula north to 

 Tenasserim and Siam, and also Sumatra. 



Siam. In this country the Binturong seems to be rare (Gylden- 

 stolpe, 1919, p. 148) . Specimens have been recorded from Sikawtur, 

 northwest of Raheng, western Siam; from Prachin, central Siam; 

 from Sai Yoke, southwestern Siam; and from Bang Nara, Patani, 

 Peninsular Siam (Kloss, 1917, p. 293, and 1919, p. 53; Gyldenstolpe, 

 1919, p. 148). In Ratburi Province, southwestern Siam, "the 

 Karangs are well acquainted with the animal and state it is 

 generally distributed in evergreen forest" (Gairdner, 1915, p. 252). 

 Since its habits are "largely nocturnal and arboreal, the Bear-cat 

 is not easily obtained" (Kloss, 1917, p. 294) . 



Malay Peninsula. "The Bear-cat ... is generally obtained in 

 Malacca, and is sometimes kept as a pet. It is easily domesticated, 

 and becomes very affectionate, and will follow its master like a 

 dog. It feeds on fruit, also taking small birds." (Ridley, 1895, p. 93.) 



"This delightful animal is apparently not uncommon on the main- 

 land, but I have not heard of it occurring wild in Penang or Singa- 

 pore. In the Museum at Taiping are specimens from Larut and 

 Kuala Kangsar, Perak. It is represented in the Museum at Kuala 

 Lumpor, and is said to be common in Selangor." (Flower, 1900, 

 pp. 330-331.) 



In the Malay Peninsula "Arctictis, Hemigalus, Neofelis, . . . 

 are not in my opinion vanishing forms. . . . The three carnivores 

 are all rare but it is extremely difficult to estimate their status in a 

 country covered with jungle. I see no reason why they should be 

 classed under Vanishing forms' as there is plenty of country suited 

 to their requirements and they are not systematically hunted. I 

 prefer to regard them as uncommon animals, rarely collected. Never- 



