Binturong: A Possible Future

The Binturong is primarily arboreal in our time, but in the future this may change drastically. Deforestation and climate change may lead to the death of the rain-forests the Binturong call home. This would force it down to the ground, where it would need new ways to survive. The claws that once allowed it to dig into trees would lengthen and flatten, allowing it to dig into the earth, creating burrows where they could peacefully sleep in during the day. The tail that once helped them grip trees now would have little purpose, shrinking away and losing muscle. It would also become more flexible overall, as burrow life would force it to adapt to turning around in cramped spaces.