Binturongs Toshi and Carla Settle into Their New Home at the Leningrad Zoo
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The Leningrad Zoo has welcomed two new residents, binturongs Toshi and Carla. These fascinating animals, native to the forests of Southeast Asia, have quickly become favorites among zoo visitors.
Binturongs are known for their distinctive appearance, with long, shaggy fur and a prehensile tail that they use to grasp branches and swing through the trees. They are also skilled climbers and spend much of their time in the canopy.
Toshi and Carla are both two years old and have come to the Leningrad Zoo from different zoos in Europe. Toshi arrived from the Tallinn Zoo in Estonia, and Carla came from the Ostrava Zoo in the Czech Republic.
The zoo's staff has been working hard to create a comfortable and enriching environment for Toshi and Carla. They have built them a spacious enclosure with plenty of climbing structures, hiding places, and a pool for swimming.
Toshi and Carla are still getting used to their new surroundings, but they are already showing signs of being happy and healthy. They are eating well and exploring their enclosure with curiosity.
The Leningrad Zoo is excited to have Toshi and Carla as part of its collection. These amazing animals are a great addition to the zoo and will undoubtedly be a popular attraction for visitors.
Additional Information about Binturongs
Binturongs are nocturnal animals that are active at night. They are solitary creatures except during mating season. Binturongs are omnivorous and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, insects, and small animals.
Binturongs are an endangered species. The main threats to their survival are habitat loss and hunting. The Leningrad Zoo is proud to participate in conservation efforts for binturongs and other endangered species.
Physical Characteristics
- Head and body length: 61–96 cm (24–38 in)
- Tail length: 50–94 cm (20–37 in)
- Weight: 10–20 kg (22–44 lb)
- Fur: Long, shaggy, and black or dark brown
- Tail: Prehensile and used for climbing and swinging through trees
Habitat and Distribution
- Native to the forests of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
- Prefer to live in dense forests with plenty of trees and water
- Can be found at elevations up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet)
Diet
- Omnivorous and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, insects, and small animals
- Spend much of their time foraging for food in the trees
- Have a strong sense of smell and can locate food from a distance
Behavior
- Nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in trees
- Solitary creatures except during mating season
- Communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations
Conservation Status
- Endangered species due to habitat loss and hunting
- The Leningrad Zoo is proud to participate in conservation efforts for binturongs
- By learning more about these amazing animals, we can help to protect them
