The Family Viverridae
This family, which consists of 35 species across 20 genera, inhabits various regions from southern Europe to Asia, including India. With their omnivorous diet, civets are highly adaptable, feeding on everything from insects and small mammals to fruits. Their elusive nature and preference for dense vegetation contribute to their low visibility, making them among the least understood carnivores.
Civet Species in India
India is home to eight civet species, each with unique characteristics and habitats:
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Binturong (Arctictis binturong)
– IUCN Status: Vulnerable
– Description: The largest civet in India, the Binturong has a black coat with white-edged ears and a prehensile tail that aids in its arboreal lifestyle. Females are larger than males.
– Distribution: Found from the Eastern Himalayas to the Northeastern states of India, extending across Southeast Asia.
– Behavior: Nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding on fruits, shoots, insects, and small mammals.
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Small-toothed Palm Civet (Arctogalidia trivirgata)
– IUCN Status: Least Concern
– Description: A buff-brown civet with three dark lines on its back and a distinctive grey head.
– Distribution: Primarily in Northeastern India, extending across Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
– Behavior: Nocturnal and arboreal, it feeds mainly on fruits and small animals.
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Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
– IUCN Status: Least Concern
– Description: Known for its variable color and facial markings, it’s the most widely distributed civet in India.
– Distribution: Found across India and Southeast Asia.
– Behavior: Adaptable to human habitation, omnivorous with a “sweet tooth” for fruits like banana and berries.
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Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)
– IUCN Status: Least Concern
– Description: Similar to the Common Palm Civet but with a darker tail and limbs, endemic to the Western Ghats.
– Distribution: Found in dense forests across the Western Ghats.
– Behavior: Mostly frugivorous and important for seed dispersal.
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Himalayan or Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata)
– IUCN Status: Least Concern
– Description: Distinguished by its white whiskers and lack of body markings, with a muscular tail and distinctive facial patterns.
– Distribution: Wide range from the Himalayas to the Andaman Islands and further into East Asia.
– Behavior: Nocturnal and solitary, it can emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism.
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Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha)
– IUCN Status: Least Concern
– Description: Recognizable by its large size and unique markings, this robust civet has short legs and a pointed muzzle.
– Distribution: Found across parts of the Indian subcontinent.
– Behavior: Primarily nocturnal and forest-dwelling, it has a diet consisting of small mammals, birds, and fruits.
The Mystery of the Civet
The civets of India are known for their reclusive nature, rarely making themselves visible to people. This elusiveness contributes to their mysterious reputation. Encounters with civets are often limited to sightings through camera traps or roadkill, as seen in personal experiences shared from Kanha Tiger Reserve and Banaras Hindu University, where civets were misidentified by locals.
Despite being common, civets often go unnoticed due to their nocturnal habits and secretive nature. However, they play a crucial ecological role, especially in seed dispersal and maintaining the balance in their habitats. By learning more about these intriguing animals, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex web of wildlife that exists in India.