Palm civet | Facts & Information

Predators: lions, leopards, large snakes, crocodiles

Origin

The palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) belongs to the order Carnivora, family Viverridae. It is an arboreal animal that is also called the Indonesian cat.

It can be found up to altitudes of 2400 m. it inhabits regions with deciduous and mixed forests with plantations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Indochina, India, Sulawesi islands, Palawan, Moluccas and China. Specifically in tropical jungles and rainforests all over Asia. The largest populations are in southern India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and southern China. Over time, it has spread and been introduced to many areas.

It is related to the following animals: geneta, mongoose, ferret, raccoon.

In native areas it is also known as the common palm civet or Toddy Cat.

Although not classified as an endangered species, the palm civet population is declining due to forest felling in its native places.

Palm civet feed

The Asian palm civet feeds mostly on fruits (coffee berries, figs, pineapples, mangoes, bananas). In addition to fruits, they also eat insects, worms, frogs, snakes, lizards, rodents or the sap of some species of palm trees from which palm wine is prepared.

He doesn't have bad taste for an animal that "serves" coffee.

The palm civet is the animal from which the famous Kopi Luwak coffee is made, one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world, producing only a few tons per year. In Indonesian, kopi means coffee and luwak, the plamier civet.

Appearance

It has a body about half a meter long and strongly resembling a feline. The coat is rough has the color of gray-brown or cream shades. It is a smaller species of civet found in all the jungles of Asia and easily recognizable by its dark, coarse hair and large eyes.

The palm civet is an animal more long than tall. It is about 50 cm long and its tail is 40 to 70 cm long.

She looks like a ferret to her face. The eyes are small and round, the iris is black in color. The muzzle is sharp, powerful jaws are provided with sharp teeth. Limbs end with strong paws, thick fingers and sharp claws. Being an arboreal animal can easily climb on tree trunks.

Species of civets

Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)

African palm civet (Nandinia binotata)

Striped palm civet (Hemigalus Derbyanus)

Malay palm civet (Viverra Tangalunga)

The Malayan Civeta is also known as the Oriental Civeta.

Subspecies

Palm civet has 30 subspecies, because they are not popular and about many of them is not known information I won't go into details. Those interested can find them here.

Behavior

In Asia and especially in India it is a popular animal due to its appearance and resemblance to the cat.

It goes out for food at dusk. Hunt or "pick" fruit. They are territorial animals and mark the boundaries of their territory by their anal glands crawling on the ground.

Because of its strong limbs, it easily moves into the tree. They climb willingly in search of fruit or need to get rid of predators.

He has a solitary lifestyle and in good conditions lives up to 20 years. They say he rarely gets to be old.

Reproduction

After mating the female gives birth to 2-4 Cubs. Gestation can last several months. The Cubs stay with their mother until they grow old enough to fend for themselves.