Wildlife Facts Civet or civet cats belong to the family of animals called Viverridae, which include the more commonly known mongoose. They are not true cats. The word civet refers to the secretion secreted from its scent glands near the genital. There are 70 species found around the world. They are small carnivores with a long and sinewy body, short legs and generally a long and bushy tail. It has an elongate head and pointed muzzle. They may be striped, spotted or have some other uniform color pattern. What kind of civets do we have on display? Three species of civets occur in the Philippines. On display is the Common Palm Civet or Musang, scientific name Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. It is widespread around the country, in agricultural and forested areas. They are nocturnal animals, coming out to feed at night. Weighing from 4 to 11 pounds, the palm civet's head and body length is 17 to 28 inches, with a tail length of 16 to 26 inches. They have a coarse grayish to brown coat with black-tipped guard hairs over all. Three rows of black spots run along each side of its body. The hair around its eyes, cheeks and muzzle is black, with spots of white under each eye and on each side of its nose. The ears, feet and last end of its tail are also black. The 3 civets on display, are all males, and came to Ocean Adventure from the local Ecology Center. As babies they were taken from the wild as pets by a local hunter, and when he could no longer provide for their special needs, he volunteered to give them up to an institution that could better care for them. By the time they came to us, they were too dependent upon people to be released. What special adaptations do they have? They have scent glands in the anal region, which secret a foul-smelling fluid or musk as a defensive mechanism and to mark territory. It is this civet substance that is used commercially as a perfume fixative. They have acute smell, sight and hearing. Where do they live? Civets are primarily forest dwellers, but they can live in dense brush and thick grass, a hole in a tree, a tangle of vines, a cave, crevice or burrow. Species that live in trees, like the species we have on display, are skillful climbers. Some are even semi-aquatic. Where they are close to agricultural communities, they can be found living in roof spaces. What do they eat? They eat small vertebrates and invertebrates, fruits, vegetable and nuts. They seek prey by stalking it or by pouncing upon it from a hiding place. Our civets prefer fruits, especially mangoes, but also eat meat and even insects. In the wild they are fond of palm sap, thus the name palm civet, and even coffee seeds. Civets help disperse the seeds of the trees on which they feed. How long do they live? Most species live from 5 to 15 years. In captivity the common palm civet can live up to 22 years. How do they mate and care for their young? Palm civets reproduce throughout the year, although it has been recorded that kittens are most often seen from October to December. During mating and when females have their young, the normally solitary civets occupy resting trees together. Kittens are born in a litter of 2 to 5 young and raise them in a nest in the hollows of trees. Palm civets become sexually mature at 11 to 12 months. What is their conservation status? Civets are a threatened species. They are hunted for fur, food and their highly valued musk. Although they are not endangered they are under pressure by the loss of natural habitat and indiscriminate, unregulated hunting. What are Civets?
                                                                     Home        Wildlife Facts       Gallery        Links