Special glands on the rumps of binturongs, or bearcats, excrete a chemical that smells like popcorn.

Webnot only do they soak their feet in it, but they also drag their tails through it, ensuring everything around them smells like crunchy, buttery goodness.

The smell doesn't come from the bearcat's scent glands, as previously suspected;

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Webthey smell like buttered popcorn.

Bearcats emit a musky, buttery aroma from their scent glands, which closely resembles the scent of freshly popped popcorn.

Webscientists say they've solved why bearcats, or bintorongs, smell like hot popcorn.

It smells like a.

They smell like hot buttered popcorn.

Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine.

Webscientists have looked into why this shy, secretive southeast asian animal also called the bearcat emits such a strikingly odd smell, but prior investigations into the scent glands of the binturong ( arctictis binturong) turned up empty handed — though uniquely smelly handed, we assume.

They smell like hot buttered popcorn.

Apparently, it's a chemical in their urine.

Webscientists have looked into why this shy, secretive southeast asian animal also called the bearcat emits such a strikingly odd smell, but prior investigations into the scent glands of the binturong ( arctictis binturong) turned up empty handed — though uniquely smelly handed, we assume.

It comes from urine.

Like many solitary animals, bearcats let their presence be known.

And it smells like a.

As it moves about, the binturong.

Webresearchers have ferreted out why the binturong, a threatened southeast asian mammal also known as the bearcat, smells like popcorn.

Hot, buttered popcorn urine.

After multiple studies, scientists in 2016 determined that the signature binturong scent originates from chemicals in their urine.

Webbasically, bearcats smell like popcorn because they run around drenched in their own urine.

Webamong those familiar with the species, they are known for their notably recognizable scent:

And it smells like a.

As it moves about, the binturong.

Webresearchers have ferreted out why the binturong, a threatened southeast asian mammal also known as the bearcat, smells like popcorn.

Hot, buttered popcorn urine.

After multiple studies, scientists in 2016 determined that the signature binturong scent originates from chemicals in their urine.

Webbasically, bearcats smell like popcorn because they run around drenched in their own urine.

Webamong those familiar with the species, they are known for their notably recognizable scent:

Webwhy do bearcats smell like popcorn?

Webof all the things that the bodily fluids of a binturong (also known as a bearcat) could smell like, perhaps the last thing you’d expect would be hot buttered popcorn.

Like other members of the viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail.

Webthe binturong, aka bearcat, ain't a monkey, but it's got a prehensile tail.

And for good reason — the chemical compound that.

This scent helps them communicate with other binturongs and establish territory.

Webmany people who have met these creatures notice the same thing:

Webwhy do binturongs smell like popcorn?

It smells like a.

After multiple studies, scientists in 2016 determined that the signature binturong scent originates from chemicals in their urine.

Webbasically, bearcats smell like popcorn because they run around drenched in their own urine.

Webamong those familiar with the species, they are known for their notably recognizable scent:

Webwhy do bearcats smell like popcorn?

Webof all the things that the bodily fluids of a binturong (also known as a bearcat) could smell like, perhaps the last thing you’d expect would be hot buttered popcorn.

Like other members of the viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail.

Webthe binturong, aka bearcat, ain't a monkey, but it's got a prehensile tail.

And for good reason — the chemical compound that.

This scent helps them communicate with other binturongs and establish territory.

Webmany people who have met these creatures notice the same thing:

Webwhy do binturongs smell like popcorn?

It smells like a.

Webwhy popcorn smells like a bearcat’s butt.

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Webof all the things that the bodily fluids of a binturong (also known as a bearcat) could smell like, perhaps the last thing you’d expect would be hot buttered popcorn.

Like other members of the viverridae family, the binturong has scent glands, which are located just under its tail.

Webthe binturong, aka bearcat, ain't a monkey, but it's got a prehensile tail.

And for good reason — the chemical compound that.

This scent helps them communicate with other binturongs and establish territory.

Webmany people who have met these creatures notice the same thing:

Webwhy do binturongs smell like popcorn?

It smells like a.

Webwhy popcorn smells like a bearcat’s butt.

Webmany people who have met these creatures notice the same thing:

Webwhy do binturongs smell like popcorn?

It smells like a.

Webwhy popcorn smells like a bearcat’s butt.