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NEXT UP: #3 seed Bearcat (Carnivora: Arctictis binturong) vs #14 seed Leopard Frog (Amphibia: Lithobates pipiens, previously Rana pipiens) #2019MMM 
The common names of each of these species lands them in the Cat-e-Gory division: BearCAT & LEOPARD frog #2019MMM
This is our 3rd year seeing Bearcat, or Binturong, at MMM (previous appearances in #2014MMM & #2017MMM) because Bearcats are awesome (but not awesome enough to make it to the Wheatie's box.....yet #Is2019TheirYear #OrDoTheyLoveFigs) #2019MMM
Bearcats are quite large, weighing up to 20kg, but they are neither Ursids nor Felids. #SoManyLies Belonging to the order Carnivora (family Viverridae), Bearcats have #carnassials but mainly eat fruit with a preference for figs #TheyLoveFigs bit.ly/2XZa6UZ #2019MMM
Have you heard that Bearcats smell like buttered popcorn? It's bc of THEIR PEE! Bearcats urinate in a squat position to spray pee on their tails & feet. Then dragging their tails across tree branches they mark their buttery popcorn territory today.duke.edu/2016/04/popcor… #2019MMM
Leopard Frogs are one of the most common frogs in North America. Why the name "Leopard"? They have irregularly shaped dark spots along their backs & legs resembling Leopard spots animaldiversity.org/accounts/Litho… #2019MMM
Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, so I have a joke for you: Why do frogs like Saint Patrick’s Day? Because they’re already wearing green! Leopard Frogs are no exception; they are well known for their often bright green coloration #2019MMM
Although occurring throughout North America, populations of Leopard Frogs have been declining due to habitat destruction, competition with invasive species, & environmental contaminants: amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_que… #2019MMM
Our battle tonight takes place in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Borneo danumvalley.info (in the vicinity of the blue star on the Bearcat @IUCNRedList distribution map). It is hot & humid, as it usually is near the equator #2019MMM
Bearcats are primarily arboreal, 1 of only 2 taxa in the Carnivora with a grasping/prehensile tail (the other is kinkajou). Bearcat is foraging in the canopy of a ripe fig tree, using her prehensile tail to maintain her grip while she snacks on delicious figs #2019MMM
The humid forest floor of the Danum Valley Conservation Area contains enough moisture to help keep the skin of the North American Leopard Frog moist for oxygen absorption (cutaneous respiration; ) #2019MMM
Our female Leopard Frog (females are the larger of the sexes) hops along, encountering a tasty array of novel invertebrates to gobble up. Beetles, leeches, & spiders, Oh My! #2019MMM
SNAP!!! #2019MMM
Suddenly Bearcat's branch snaps & Bearcat plummets to the forest floor! #WorstBearDemonstrates #2019MMM
Stunned but uninjured, Bearcat takes a moment to recover #2019MMM
Bearcat stands up & walks toward the nearest fig tree with a squashed Leopard Frog stuck to her rump #CheckBaby #CheckBaby #RumpShaker #WreckxNEffect #2019MMM
BEARCAT SQUASHES LEOPARD FROG!!! #2019MMM
