African civet
A species of African civet Scientific name : Civettictis civetta Genus : African civet
African civet, A species of African civet
Scientific name: Civettictis civetta
Genus: African civet
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Николай Усик , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The fur of the African civet is silver-gray and drawn with black spots or ribbons arranged in stripes. There is a large variation of the patterns within the species, melanistic animals are also known. The legs and the back half of the tail are colored black, and they can also have black markings on their faces that are reminiscent of raccoons. The species is characterized by a long back mane that can be erected. The head trunk length of these animals is 67 to 89 centimeters, in addition there are 35 to 47 centimeters tail. Their weight varies from 7 to 15, rarely to 20 kilograms. The shoulder height is between 35 and 43 cm.
General Info
Lifespan
12-20 years
Diet
African civet are omnivorous animals with small mammals, insects, birds, eggs, fruits, and carrion contributing to significant portions of their diet. They also occasionally forage on plants, exhibiting certain degree of dietary versatility.
Appearance
The african civet is a medium-sized mammal with a slender, elongated body covered in coarse fur. Adults typically exhibit a black or dark brown coat, with white or cream-colored bands running across the body. The animal's most distinctive feature is its large white mask-like markings around the eyes. It also has a ringed tail and small ears. Males and females look similar, with no apparent differences between them.
Behavior
African civet are predominantly nocturnal, known for their solitary and territorial behavior. They mark their territories with a strong musk produced by their perineal gland. Exceptionally, individuals cohabitate in shared territories, exhibiting a unique social dynamics. Their primary activities include foraging for a diverse diet and grooming, particularly musk application.
Photo By Николай Усик , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Carnivores Family
Viverrids Genus
African civet Species
African civet