Mammal family
Alternative title: Viverridae

Viverrid (family Viverridae), African palm civet [Credit: Robert C. Hermes from the National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers]African palm civetRobert C. Hermes from the National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchersany of 35 species of small Old World mammals including civets, genets, and linsangs. Viverrids are among the most poorly known carnivores. They are rarely encountered, being small and secretive inhabitants of forests and dense vegetation. In addition, many species live only on islands or in small areas.

Most viverrids have slender bodies with a long tail and short legs terminating in four- or five-toed feet. The neck and head are typically elongated, with a tapered muzzle and small ears. Most species have anal scent glands. Some viverrids are nocturnal, some diurnal. Many bear two annual litters of two to four young. Life expectancy ranges from 5 to 15 years.

Viverrid diversity

genet [Credit: Warren Garst/Van Cleve Photography]genetWarren Garst/Van Cleve PhotographyThe smallest member of the viverrid family is the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor), which weighs 0.6 kg (1.3 pounds). The two largest species are the African civet (Civettictis civetta) and the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) of Madagascar, both of which can reach 20 kg. The most common viverrid, however, is the European genet (Genetta genetta), which weighs 1–2.5 kg. It is found in Spain, Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, and Israel and throughout the savannas of Central Africa as well as most of Southern Africa.

Most viverrids are good climbers. Some, such as the fossa and the binturong (Arctictis binturong), spend most of their lives in trees, as do several palm civets, such as the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) and the golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis). Many are good swimmers, and two species, the aquatic genet (Osbornictis piscivora) and the otter civet (Cynogale bennettii), are semiaquatic. Viverrids are mostly carnivorous, their diet consisting of small rodents such as mice and voles, birds and their eggs, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, nuts, and insects. Some, such as palm civets, eat mostly fruit; their frugivorous habit is reflected in the molars, which are larger and flatter than those of carnivourous viverrids.

Viverrids rely heavily on scent for communication. In civets, perineal glands produce a secretion that is stored in a pouch and used for scent marking. Although the secretions of most civets are strong and disagreeable, those of African civets (Civettictis civetta) are musky and have a pleasant odour. These secretions and those of the Oriental civets (genera Viverricula and Viverra) are used in the perfume industry, and captured civets are kept specifically for the production of “civet musk.” For this reason the African civet is probably the most economically important viverrid.


Family Viverridae (viverrids)
35 species in 20 genera belonging to 6 subfamilies, found in the Old World.
Subfamily Viverrinae
Genus Genetta (genets)
9 African species except for the European genet.
Genus Viverra (Oriental civets)
4 Asian species.
Genus Prionodon (Oriental linsangs)
2 Asian species.
Genus Civettictis (African civet)
1 African species.
Genus Osbornictis (aquatic civet)
1 African species.
Genus Poiana (African linsang)
1 African species.
Genus Viverricula (lesser Oriental civet, or rasse)
1 Asian species.
Subfamily Paradoxurinae
Genus Paradoxurus (palm civets)
4 Asian species.
Genus Arctictis (binturong)
1 Asian species.
Genus Arctogalidia (small-toothed palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Genus Macrogalidia (Sulawesi palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Genus Paguma (masked palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Subfamily Hemigalinae
Genus Chrotogale (Owston’s palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Genus Cynogale (otter civet)
1 Asian species.
Genus Diplogale (Hose’s palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Genus Hemigalus (banded palm civet)
1 Asian species.
Subfamily Euplerinae
Genus Eupleres (falanouc)
1 species of Madagascar.
Genus Fossa (striped civet)
1 species of Madagascar.
Subfamily Cryoproctinae
Genus Cryoprocta (fossa)
1 species of Madagascar.
Subfamily Nandiniinae
Genus Nandinia (African palm civet)
1 African species.
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