[5] Viverra binturong was the scientific name proposed by Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1822 for a specimen from Malacca.

[7] Arctictis is a monotypic taxon; its morphology is similar to that of members of the genera Paradoxurus and Paguma.

The bushy and prehensile tail is thick at the root, gradually tapering, and curls inwards at the tip.

[6] In general build, the binturong is essentially like Paradoxurus and Paguma, but more massive in the length of the tail, legs and feet, in the structure of the scent glands, and in the larger size of the rhinarium, which is more convex with a median groove being much narrower above the philtrum.

[24][25] The musk glands emit an odor reminiscent of popcorn or corn chips, described as "ltpɨt" by the Malaysian Jahai people, likely due to the volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in the urine, which is also produced in the Maillard reaction at high temperatures.

[28] The binturong occurs from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Yunnan in China, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java in Indonesia, to Palawan in the Philippines.

[32] In Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, several individuals were observed feeding in a fig tree and on a vine.

[34] In Malaysia, binturongs were recorded in secondary forest surrounding a palm estate that was logged in the 1970s.

[35] In Palawan, it inhabits primary and secondary lowland forest, including grassland–forest mosaic from sea level to 400 m (1,300 ft).

[37] Camera traps set up in Myanmar captured thirteen animals, one around dusk, seven at night and five in broad daylight.

[32] Five radio-collared binturongs in the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary exhibited an arrhythmic activity dominated by crepuscular and nocturnal tendencies with peaks in the early morning and late evening.

They seldom leaped, but climbed skilfully, albeit slowly, progressing with equal ease and confidence along the upper side of branches or, upside down, beneath them.

They descended the vertical bars of the cage head first, gripping them between their paws and using the prehensile tail as a check.

They growled fiercely when irritated, and when on the prowl they periodically uttered a series of low grunts or a hissing sound, made by expelling air through partially opened lips.

It shows a pronounced comfort behaviour associated with grooming the fur, shaking and licking its hair, and scratching.

[39] The binturong is omnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, fish, earthworms, insects and fruits.

[29] Fish and earthworms are likely unimportant items in its diet, as it is neither aquatic nor fossorial, coming across such prey only when opportunities present themselves.

[41] In captivity, the binturong's diet includes commercially prepared meat mix, bananas, apples, oranges, canned peaches and mineral supplement.

Habitat loss has been severe in the lowlands of the Sundaic part of its range, and there is no evidence that the binturong uses the plantations that are largely replacing natural forest.

In China, rampant deforestation and opportunistic logging practices have fragmented suitable habitat or eliminated sites altogether.

[45] Binturongs are common in zoos, and captive individuals represent a source of genetic diversity essential for long-term conservation.