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Viverridae - Civets, Genets, Linsangs

 

Classification

 Kingdom: Animalia
 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Mammalia
 Order: Carnivora
 Family: Viverridae

Common WombatThere are around 33 species in this family. They are found in Africa, and Asia. They are found in woodland, rainforest, savanna, and mountain habitats. They have a cat-like appearance. The animals in this family have long, thin bodies; long tails; small heads; and pointed ears.

One species in this family, the binturong, has a prehensile tail. Most of the species in this family have spotted or stripped coats. They have retractable claws. Some species have a gland that produces a musky scent called civet. Civet is used in perfumes.

The species in this family are omnivorous and eat and eat small mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, eggs, fruit, fish, and carrion. Most species can climb trees, many species are aboreal, and most species are nocturnal.

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct Data Deficient Data Deficient
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Endangered in US Endangered in US
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.
 

New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH More Info Click for More Info picture Click for Image

New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

None
  None

Species Around the World

Binturong - Arctictis binturong Vulnerable Asia image More Info
Small-toothed Palm Civet - Arctogalidia trivirgata Least Asia image More Info
Owston's Civet - Chrotogale owstoni Endangered Asia More Info
African Civet - Civettictis civetta Least Concern Africa More Info
Otter Civet - Cynogale bennettii Endangered Asia More Info
Hose's Civet - Diplogale hosei Vulnerable Asia image More Info
Ethiopian Genet - Genetta abyssinica Data Africa
Angolan Genet - Genetta angolensis Least Concern Africa image More Info
Bourlon's Genet - Genetta bourloni Vulnerable Africa
Crested Genet - Genetta cristata Vulnerable Africa
Common Genet - Genetta genetta Least Concern Africa image More Info
Johnston's Genet - Genetta johnstoni Near Threatened Africa
Large-spotted Genet - Genetta maculata Least Concern Africa image
Pardine Genet - Genetta pardina Least Concern Africa image
Aquatic Genet - Genetta piscivora Near Threatened Africa More Info
King Genet - Genetta poensis Data Deficient Africa

  Servaline Genet - Genetta servalina Least Concern Africa image
Hausa Genet - Genetta thierryi Least Africa
Cape Genet - Genetta tigrina Least Africa image More Info
Giant Genet - Genetta victoriae Least Concern image More Info
Banded Civet - Hemigalus derbyanus Near Threatened Asia image More Info
Sulawesi Plam Civet - Macrogalidia musschenbroekii Vulnerable Asia image More Info
Masked Palm Civet - Paguma larvata Least Concern Asia image More Info
Common Palm Civet - Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Least Concern Asia image More Info
Brown Palm Civet - Paradoxurus jerdoni Least Concern Asia image More Info
Golden Palm Civet - Paradoxurus zeylonensis Least Asia image More Info
West African Oyan - Poiana leightoni Vulnerable Africa
African Linsing - Poiana richardsonii Least Concern Africa More Info
Malabar Civet - Viverra civettina Critically Endangered Asia More Info
Large-spotted Civet - Viverra megaspila Endangered Asia image
Malay Civet - Viverra tangalunga Least Concern Asia image More Info
Large Indian Civet - Viverra zibetha Least Asia More Info
Small Indian Civet - Viverricula indica Least Africa Asia image More Info

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Binturong - Arctictis binturong profile Photos Video Vulnerablewidth=18 Asia
The binturong is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Binturong - Arctictis binturong profile Photos Vulnerablewidth=18 Asia
The binturong is primarily arboreal and live in the canopies of tropical forests.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Binturong - Arctictis binturong profile Photos Vulnerablewidth=18 Asia
The binturong has a thick muscular tail; and the end of it is prehensile.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Small-toothed Palm Civet - Arctogalidia trivirgata profile Least Asia
The small-toothed palm civet is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Owston's Civet - Chrotogale owstoni profile Photos Endangered Asia
Owston's civet is found in Laos and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Civet - Civettictis civetta profile Photos Video Least Africa
The African civet is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Civet - Civettictis civetta profile Photos Least Africa
The African civet is solitary, except when breeding.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Otter Civet - Cynogale bennettii profile Photos Endangered” Asia
The otter civet is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Otter Civet - Cynogale bennettii Photos Endangered” Asia
The otter civet is also known as the mampalon.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hose's Civet - Diplogale hosei Photos Vulnerable Asia
Hose's civet is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hose's Civet - Diplogale hosei profile Photos Vulnerable Asia
Hose's civet has only been photographed once.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Angolan Genet - Genetta angolensis profile Least Africa
The Angolan genet is also known as the Miombo genet. It is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Genet - Genetta genetta profile Photos Least Concern Africa
The common genet is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Genet - Genetta genetta profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa
The common genet is a long, slender cat-like carnivore with a very long tail.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Aquatic Genet - Genetta piscivora profile Photos Near Threatened Africa
The aquatic genet is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cape Genet - Genetta tigrina profile Photos Least Africa
The Cape genet is found in South Africa and Lesotho.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cape Genet - Genetta tigrina Photos Least Africa
The Cape genet is also known as the large-spotted genet.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Genet - Genetta victoriae Photos Least Concern Africa
The giant genet is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Banded Civet - Hemigalus derbyanus profile Near Threatened Asia
The banded civet is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Banded Civet - Hemigalus derbyanus profile Photos Video Near Threatened Asia
The banded civet is nocturnal.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sulawesi Palm Civet - Macrogalidia musschenbroekii profile Vulnerable Asia
The Sulawesi palm civet is found on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sulawesi Palm Civet - Macrogalidia musschenbroekii Photos Vulnerable Asia
The Sulawesi palm civet lives in the rain forest.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Masked Palm Civet - Paguma larvata profile Photos Least Concern Asia
The masked palm civet is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Masked Palm Civet - Paguma larvata Photos Least Concern Asia
The masked palm civet is found in a variety of forests, including deciduous, evergreen, and mixed deciduous forests, and rainforests. They are also found in residential areas.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Palm Civet - Paradoxurus hermaphroditus profile Photos Least Concern Asia
The common palm civet is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Palm Civet - Paradoxurus hermaphroditus profile Photos Least Concern Asia
The common palm civet is arboreal.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brown Palm Civet - Paradoxurus jerdoni profile Least Concern Asia
The brown palm civet is found in tropical rainforests along the western coast of India.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brown Palm Civet - Paradoxurus jerdoni Photos Least Concern Asia
The brown palm civet is also know as Jerdon’s palm civets.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Golden Palm Civet - Paradoxurus zeylonensis profile Least Asia
The golden palm civet is found in Sri Lanka.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Golden Palm Civet - Paradoxurus zeylonensis profile Photos Least Asia
The golden palm civet is mostly arboreal, although it will sometimes forage on the forest floor for food.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Linsang - Poiana richardsonii profile Photos Least Concern Africa
The African linsang is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Linsang - Poiana richardsonii profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa
The African linsang is also known as the central African oyan.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Malabar Civet - Viverra civettina Photos Critically Endangered Asia
The Malabar civet is found in western Ghats in western India.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Malabar Civet - Viverra civettina profile Critically Endangered Asia
The Malabar civet is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Malay Civet - Viverra tangalunga profile Least Concern Asia
The Malay civet is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It has been introduced to the Philippines and Singapore.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Malay Civet - Viverra tangalunga Photos Video Least Concern Asia
The Malay civet is also know as the Oriental civet.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Large Indian Civet - Viverra zibetha Photos Least Asia
The large Indian civet is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Large Indian Civet - Viverra zibetha Photos Video Least Asia
 The large Indian civet eats fruit from a range of trees as well as rodents, insects and crabs.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Small Indian Civet - Viverricula indica Photos Least Africa Asia
The small Indian civet is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It has been introduced to the islands of Zanzibar, Madagascar, Comoros, and Socotra of the coast of Africa.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Small Indian Civet - Viverricula indica Video Video Least Africa Asia
The small Indian civet is found living near humans.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School