Why These Weird Carnivores Smell Like Popcorn

TL;DR

Binturongs have urine that smells like buttered popcorn due to the compound 2-AP, aiding in territorial marking and potential mate attraction.

Transcript

[ ♪ ] Wander through the forests of southeast Asia, and you might suddenly wonder if there’s a movie theatre nearby. That’s because parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are home to the binturong — a cat-like carnivore with pee that smells like buttered popcorn. Yum? Binturongs—or bearcats as they’re sometimes called, though they aren’... Read More

Key Insights

• 👃 Binturongs, also known as bearcats, have buttered popcorn-smelling urine due to the compound 2-AP.
• ❓ They use their urine to mark territories by spraying it on branches and rubbing it onto surfaces.
• 🕵️‍♀️ The level of 2-AP in binturong urine varies between males and females, correlating with the sex hormone androstenedione.
• 🦻 Understanding the role of 2-AP in binturong urine could aid conservation efforts in preserving these unique animals.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Male binturongs have higher levels of 2-AP in their urine compared to females.
• 💄 Binturong populations have declined by over 30% in recent decades, making conservation efforts crucial.
• 👃 The Maillard reaction, which creates 2-AP, is responsible for the buttery smell in binturong urine and popcorn.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do binturongs use their popcorn-smelling urine?

Binturongs use their popcorn-smelling urine to mark their territories by spraying it on branches and rubbing it onto nearby surfaces, potentially aiding in communication with other binturongs.

Q: What chemical gives binturong urine the buttered popcorn smell?

The compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is responsible for the buttered popcorn smell in binturong urine, a chemical also found in popcorn resulting from a Maillard reaction.

Q: Why is the level of 2-AP in binturong urine significant?

The level of 2-AP in binturong urine varies between sexes and correlates with the sex hormone androstenedione, potentially indicating the animal's gender and fertility status to other binturongs.

Q: How might the knowledge of binturong urine help conservation efforts?

Understanding the role of 2-AP in binturong urine could aid conservationists in breeding programs, ensuring the preservation of these unique animals in the face of declining populations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Binturongs, or bearcats, are cat-like carnivores found in southeast Asia, known for their buttered popcorn-smelling urine.

• They live in dense forests, high up in trees, feeding on fruit, insects, and small rodents.

• The chemical 2-AP gives their urine the popcorn smell, potentially aiding in territorial marking and mate attraction.