Civets

News: A rare civet cat, usually found in the Seshachalam forests near Tirumala, was recently sighted near Tadepalli in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.

About Civets

• Civets are a group of small carnivorous mammals belonging to the Viverridae family, including Genets, Palm Civets, Binturongs, and Oyans.
• Civets comprise approximately 15 to 20 species classified into 10 to 12 genera.
• They are found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. Some species are native to India, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Civets have long bodies and short legs, making them resemble cats in appearance.
  • They possess thickly furred tails, small ears, and pointed snouts.
  • Their fur color is typically buff or grayish, often marked with black spots, stripes, or both.
• They are mostly solitary animals and prefer to live in tree hollows, rocky areas, and other sheltered locations.
• They are primarily nocturnal.
• They are omnivorous. Certain species, such as the palm civets, have a particular fondness for palm juice, which has earned them the nickname “toddy cats.”
• Conservation Status: Several species of civets are endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  • Among the most threatened are the Malabar civet (Viverra civettina), which is native to India’s Western Ghats, and the Sunda otter civet (Cynogale bennetti), which inhabits the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.