Malabar Large-spotted Civet

Viverra civettina

The Malabar Large-spotted Civet is yet another creature endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is also the rarest of the ones we have learned about so far.

It is estimated that there are less than 250 of these guys left alive, and because the population is fragmented, no single group numbers more than 50. Worse still is that the decline is ongoing, which means the population could be extinct very soon. They were actually thought to be extinct until the early 1990s, when a few were spotted in the wild again. But in the last 20 years sightings have been very few and far between.

Unsurprisingly, we know very little about these Mammals. Their biology and behavior has not been extensively studied. What we do know is that they live a nocturnal lifestyle, and prefer lowland forests in their range.

In the past, the Civets were hunted for their oil, and to keep them away from chickens and other domesticated poultry. Today habitat loss and a fragmented population are their biggest worries. Sadly, they do not live in any protected areas, and unless an urgent conservation plan is put into place they could be gone forever.

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : India
Size : Body Length around 13in (33cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae -- Genus : Viverra-- Species : V. civettina
Image :  Kerala Tourism

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Genet

Genetta genetta

The members of the Viverrid family may look like cats, but they are only distantly related to Felines (belonging to the same Carnivore Superfamily as the Cats, Hyenas, and Mongooses). The Viverrids are the most primitive of the bunch, and resemble some of the earliest Carnivoran creatures.

Of the 33 Viverrid species, 14 are Genets. And of the 14 Genets, the Common Genet is... well... the most common. They have a  range that extends across Africa, and they can even be found in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France.

Common Genets have pale yellowish fur with dark rows of spots, a long dark crest of fur down the spine, and a ringed tail. Like Felines, they have retractable claws that help with climbing. Unlike Felines, they have five toes on their back feet!

Also cat-like are the sounds that they make. The Genets mew, purr, and growl, but also produce various clicks and hiccup-type calls as well. Because they are solitary, most of these interactions are between a mother and her offspring, but they will also make sounds when threatened.

Common Genets are nocturnal carnivores. They feed exclusively on other animals, especially Wood Mice. A final cat-like trait? They too kill their prey via a swift bite to the neck.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Europe, Africa
Size : Body length up to 41in (1m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae -- Genus : Genetta -- Species : G. genetta

Image : Frederic Salien

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Asian Palm Civet

The Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a viverrid found in tropical forests throughout Asia, though they are mostly concentrated in the South and South East areas. They have a rather interesting look to them, almost like a cat crossed with a weasel. They have body lengths of up to 21in (53cm) with a tail of about the same length. They weigh 4-10lbs (2-5kg). Asian Palm Civets are also known as Toddy Cats and Common Palm Civets.

(Image Source)

Asian Palm Civets are nocturnal and terrestrial. They come out at night to feed without as much risk from predation, and their diet consists of small mammals and insects, as well as fruits and other native vegetation. They are solitary animals, and really only come together during the brief breeding season. Liters range from 2-5 young.

One interesting fact about the Asian Palm Civet is that they eat whole coffee beans. These beans pass through their digestive system whole and are then harvested from their feces by humans. This coffee, known as Kopi Luwak, is the most expensive coffee in the world, and sells for upwards of $200 per pound.

Asian Palm Civets are currently listed as being of Least Concern, though habitat loss could affect their population in the future.

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Binturong

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong) also has an equally awesome alternate common name, the Bearcat! However, it really isn't much of a bear OR a cat. While it is true that it is part of the Feliforma suborder, it is not a member of family Felidae. Binturongs are a part of their own family, Viverridae, which is shared with Civets, Linsangs, and Genets. There are six subspecies of Binturong, all of which have slight differences based upon location and habitat. Binturongs range in body size from 60-100cm in length, (not including their tail which has roughly the same length) and weigh between 20 and 30lbs.

Binturongs are nocturnal animals native to the rain forests of South East Asia. The species range spans through several countries including China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. They are tree dwelling mammals, and have fully prehensile tails that basically double their body length and can be used to cling to the trees or to grasp food. Binturongs are phenomenal climbers, and can even move upside down from branch to branch and rotate their back ankles to assist in grasping. However, they are quite awkward when it comes to ground movement, and tend to amble from side to side a bit like a bear. They are omnivores and will eat fruits, leaves, rodents, insects and even carrion. Binturongs are important to their habitat because their digestive system is able to break down tough strangler fig seed shells. Once the seeds pass through and are defecated they are capable of being planted.

I feel that one of the most interesting things about Binturongs is their smell. They smell like buttered popcorn. Their scent is produced by glands under the tail, and is left behind on the things that they climb over. The purpose of this scent is to mark territory, which can either help in finding mates, or act as an alert to trespassers. Another interesting fact is that the Binturong is one of only a few mammal species capable of delayed implantation. This means that they can breed year round, but time the birth of their young to favorable conditions. They have a gestation period of 91 days, and usually have litters of 2-3cubs. January through March are the peak months for giving birth.


Thanks again to Jon for the suggestion!

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