Small to medium-sized carnivorous mammal found in Africa and Asia, belonging to the family Viverridae, which also includes
mongooses and
genets. Distant relations of cats, they generally have longer jaws and more teeth. All have a scent gland in the inguinal (groin) region. Extracts from this gland are taken from the
African civet Civettictis civetta and used in perfumery.
As well as eating animal matter, many species, for example, the Southeast Asian
palm civet Arctogalidia trivirgata, are fond of fruit.
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.