CIVETS IN INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA

BANDED PALM CIVETS

banded palm civet

Banded palm civets (Hemigalus derbyanus) are found in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and southern Thailand and southern Myanmar. They civets are partly arboreal (live in trees) and prefer tall forests but feed mainly on the ground at night, foraging for prey near trees and streams, and sleeping in holes in the ground or in trees during the day. [Source: Kari Santoro, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Banded palm civets are primarily carnivores (eat meat or animal parts), insectivores (eat insects), and vermivores (eat worms). Much of their diet consists of locusts and worms, but they also eat crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial snails, spiders, ants and frogs. In captivity, the species has eaten bananas and other fruit, but plant consumption is unknown in the wild. Banded palm civets often kill prey by biting it at the back of the neck and then shaking it violently. Their front paws help to grasp the prey while tearing and chewing it; they swallow with their heads tilted upwards; and often, drink before and after they eat. /=\

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Banded palm civets are listed as Vulnerable. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they are in Appendix II, which lists species not necessarily threatened with extinction now but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. The main threats to banded palm civets are deforestation and habitat loss. Predators of banded palm civets have not been identified but may include large cats such as leopards and feral dogs.

Banded Palm Civet Characteristics

Banded palm civets are about the size of small domestic cats, except with a more slender bodies. They range in weight from one to three kilograms (2.2 to 6.6 pounds) and have a head and body length that ranges from 46 to 53 centimeters (18.1 to 20.9 inches). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar. [Source: Kari Santoro, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Banded palm civets have gray-yellow woolly hair with seven or eight crescent-shaped black markings on the dorsal side and black rings around their tails, which vary from 25 to 38 centimeters (10 to 15 inches) in length. Underparts of the body are lighter than the dorsal side, and the fur in the dorsal neck region is reversed and points forward.

Banded palm civets have long tapered snouts and 40 teeth with a dental pattern 3/3;1/1;4/4;2/2 common to most members of the Viverridae. Their molars are tritubercular. Both males and females of the species possess vestigial anal glands. Partially retractable claws and powerful feet enable banded palm civets to be good climbers.

Banded Palm Civet Behavior and Reproduction

banded palm civet range

Banded palm civets are arboreal (live mainly in trees), terricolous (live on the ground), nocturnal (active at night), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary), and territorial (defend an area within the home range). They are a solitary animals, with males and females only coming together for mating.

Banded palm civets sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell and communicate with touch, sound and chemicals usually detected by smelling. They also leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. Both defensive and territorial scent marking have been observed. Social behavior includes grooming and pacing. Smell plays a role in identify individuals. Vocal communication observed in captivity includes hissing, spitting, cooing, whining and growling.

Banded palm civets engage in seasonal breeding and year-round breeding. The average number of offspring is two. The average weaning age is 70 days. Very little is known about the mating systems of banded palm civets as they tend to be reclusive and have low reproduction rates in captivity. The females' estrus cycle is not easily identifiable, but scientists hypothesize that they may be seasonally polyestrus or generally polyestrus throughout the year with a four to seven day cycle. Banded palm civets in captivity do not construct nests. Young weigh about 125 grams at birth and open their eyes after eight to 12 days.

Malayan Civets

Malayan civets (Viverra tangalunga) are widespread in the forests and woodlands of Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Borneo, Sumatra, Bangka and the Riau Archipelago (near Sumatra) and found in patches on Sulawesi, Java and other Southeast Asian island where they may been introduced. Malayan civets measures 58.5 to 95 centimeters (23 to 37.4 inches) from head to rear end and have a tail that is 30 to 48 centimeters (12 to 19 inches) long. They weigh five to 11 kilograms (11 to 24 pounds) and rarely climb into trees like most civets even though they are good climbers. Instead they spend most their on the forest floor feeding on millipedes, giant centipedes, scorpions and small mammals such as mice. The Malayan civet is nocturnal and lives up to 11 years.

Malayan civets are also known as oriental civets and Malay civet. They live in a wide variety of habitats including rainforest, scrub forests, brush, and grasslands. They tend to hang out in areas with dense cover during the day and come out and hunt and forage at night. They They have been found in disturbed areas of montane forests near villages. Malayan civets are largely carnivorous, hunting and killing small mammals, birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. They also eat eggs, fruit and roots. [Source: Barbara Lundrigan and Julie Harris, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Malayan civet

Malayan civets have many dark spots that form lines along their body and have a distinctive black and white neck collar, white underside, black legs and feet and about 15 bands the tail. Their coloration of their backround behind the spots ranges from tawny or grayish. There are usually three black and two white collars on the sides of the neck and throat. The fur is long and loose, and usually elongated along the spinal area forming a low crest or mane. This mane is marked by a black stripe running from the shoulders to the tail. The feet of the Malayan civet are all black. Viverra have five toes on each foot. On the third and fourth digit of the forefeet are lobes of skin which sheath and protect their retractile claws. The dental formula is I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 3-4/3-4 meters 1-2/1-2. /=\

Malayan civets are not endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. Habitat loss is their greatest threat though many civets have adpated to human environmental disturbances. Malayan civets are one of the sources of the scent civet used perfumes. Some civets are raised on farms for their scent secretions. They occasionally kill poultry.

According to Animal Diversity Web: Malayan civets is mostly nocturnal (active at night), and solitary. Males and females join up to mate. If a Malay civet is cornered it may fight, but otherwise seems to show little aggression. These civets are hunters and may obtain prey by stalking it or pouncing on it from a hiding place. Malayan civets produce a secretion from their anal scent glands known as civet. Civet may be secreted as a defensive measure, similar to that of the skunk. Civet may also be secreted and rubbed on various objects to communicate with members of their own species. A female Malayan civet may have one to four young per litter two times per year. The young are born in dense vegetation or in holes in the ground. Their eyes are closed at birth, but they do have hair. Weaning begins at approximately one month. Female viverrids have two or three pairs of abdominal mammae. Male viverrids have a baculum (penis bone).

Asian Palm Civets

Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) are known by many names, including common palm civets, toddy cats, musang, and luwak. Their names vary based mainly on the region where the animals are being described. Even though they are one of the most common species of civet, and the most common mammalian carnivores, they are not very well studied. Little is known about their behavior due to their nocturnal, quiet, and secretive nature. Asian palm civets are thought to live from 15 to 20 years in the wild. One lived for 24.4 years in captivity. [Source: Jessica Nelson, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Malayan civet range

Asian palm civets are found throughout southern Asia, ranging the Philippines in east to Kashmir in the west. They are most widespread in southern China, the northern Himalayas, southern India, and islands in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Philippine Sea. Significant populations of Asian palm civet exist in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Sundas Islands. /=\

Asian palm civets thrive in a variety of habitats. They have traditionally lived in temperate and tropical forests, but now are often found in places developed by humans such as parks, suburban gardens, plantations, and fruit orchards. These places are mainly chosen based on food availability and the presence of areas the civets can rest in, like tree hollows, rock crevices, or dense foliage. Asian palm civets are arboreal (live mainly in trees) and are known to spend a lot of time in fruit and fig trees. They prefer the tallest trees with very densest canopies and aggregations of vines, which provide them with seclusion and protection.

Otter Civets

Otter civets (Cynogale bennettii) are also known as mampalon. They live in rainforests and wetlands in the Malay Penninsula and the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and may also occur in southern Thailand. They get their name from their semi-aquatic nature. They prefer swampy wetlands and forests that border streams or rivers. They rarely are found far from water and their average lifespan in captivity is only five years. [Source: Erica Raffo, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

otter civet

Judging from the otter Civet's dention patterns, scientists believe the diet consists of fish, mollusks, crayfish, small mammals, and birds. They are thought to capture prey when they take a drink at the edges of streams and rivers. It has been hypothesized that otter civets hide below the surface of the water and burst out of the water like a crocodile and grab their prey.

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List otter civets are listed as Endangered.In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they are in Appendix II, which lists species not necessarily threatened with extinction now but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. Scientists hypothesize that otter civet populations may have declined by at least 50 percent mainly as a result of habitat loss due to human settlement, agriculture and competition from species that are more adaptable to human incursions.

Otter Civet Characteristics

Otter civets range in weight from three to five kilograms (6.6 to 11.01 pounds) and have a head and body length that ranges from 70 to 88 centimeters (27.8 to 34.6 inches). The fur ranges in color from pale close to the skin to almost black at the tips. The blackish fur is interspersed with longer gray hairs, giving the animals a frosted look. There are many long vibrissae (whiskers). [Source: Erica Raffo, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Among the features otter civets possess suited for their aquatic lifestyle are nostrils and ears that can be closed with flaps underwater, wide, webbed feet ideal for swimming and teeth similar to those of a seal and different from those of typical land. Otter civets have three premolars, two of which have jagged edges. The molars are wide with many ridges.

Otter civets are nocturnal creatures (active at night) and are hard to observe in the wild. They are good swimmers but some scientists have noted that don’t swim particularly fast and speculate they likely flee predators by jumping out of the water and climbing a tree rather than swimming. Otter civets are suprisingly adept climbers: able walk on branches with their heads and tails hung low, and their back arched. They sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell. There is little information about their breeding patterns of otter civets. Females generally have between two and three young per season. Young have been found still with their mothers in May. The young are born without the frosted hairs on their backs. Scent glands found near the genital areas of males may play a role in mating.

Masked Palm Civets

otter civet range

Masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) are the most widespread of all civets. They range from northern Pakistan and Kashmir in the west to much of eastern and southern China in the east and southwards through Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos Cambodia and Thailand in Southeast Asia to the to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Among this siland found in their range are Taiwan, Hainan, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Humans introduced this civet species to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku in the 1900s.[Source: Barbara Lundrigan and Steve Baker, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Masked palm civets are found in deciduous, evergreen, scrub and mixed deciduous forests, as well as in tropical rainforests, mountainous regions and near human settlements. They civets are omnivorous (eat a variety of things, including plants and animals), mainly eating fruits, but also consuming eat small vertebrates, insects, and birds. These civet have lived up to 20 years in captivity, but probably average about 10 years in the wild. /=\

Masked palm civets are not endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern” and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) places them in Appendix III due to its abundance within disturbed and fragmented areas. However, great swaths of their habitat have been destroyed by logging and human encroachmend. Masked palm civets are hunted for their meat and fur and some local people keep them as pets and rat killers. They are regarded as crop pests and they often raid fruit orchards and have been known to kill chickens and other poultry. Natural predators include tigers, leopards, pythons and large raptors. Their anal glands secrete a noxious mix of civetone (9-cis-cycloheptadecenone) and methyl ketones that discourage predation,

Sulawesi Palm Civets

Sulawesi palm civets (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii) are sometimes referred to a “giant civets.” But in reality they are not that large for civets. They are similar in size to masked palm civets. They are, however, the largest wild carnivores on Sulawesi. Also known as Sulawesi civets, musang and brown palm civets, they are found only on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Verified range on the island includes the end of the Minahassa peninsula, the east peninsula, the southeast peninsula, and a small section of central Sulawesi. Few sighting or specimens have been recorded in central and southern Sulawesi.. Two other species of civets occur within the Sulawesi palm civet range — the Asian palm civet and the Malayan civet, both which had been introduced to Sulawesi. [Source: Sarah Meierotto, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Sulawesi palm civet from 1896

Sulawesi palm civets prefer is primary growth rain forests and have been seen agricultural areas, mountains at elevations up to 2600 meters (8530 feet), upper montane rain forest and cloud forest, lower montane rain forest, and lowland rain forest. Sulawesi palm civets are omnivores (eat a variety of things, including plants and animals), eating a variety of animal prey and fruits. Scat analysis has revealed small rodents and birds but fruits probably provide a larger share of the diet as they are more completely digested. Among the animals preyed by Sulawesi palm civets are Sulawesi cuscus, Sulawesi warty pig youbg, various members of the 28 species of rodents found on Sulawesi, chickens, and megapodes (kind of bird) as well as bird eggs. When eating birds, they eat eveything including bones, feathers and feet. As far fruit is concerned they favor palm fruits but also eat cultivated bananas and papayas. Grass has also been found in scat.

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Sulawesi palm civets are listed as Vulnerable. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. The animals are sometimes hunted but the foul smell they produe deters that. The loss of habitat due to deforestation and agriculture are their biggest threats.

Sulawesi Palm Civet Characteristics and Behavior

Sulawesi palm civets range in weight from 3.85 to 6.1 kilograms (8.5 to 13.4 pounds) and range in length from 113 to 125 centimeters (44.5 to 49.41 inches). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: Males are larger than females. Body lengths for measured females are 65 centimeters (26 inches) plus a 48 centimeters (19 inch) tail and 68 centimeters (27.7 inches) with a broken tail 44,5 centimeters (17.5 inches) long. A Male body length are 71.5 centimeters (28.1 inches) with a 54 centimeters (21.2 inch) tail. Females have a perineal scent gland behind their genetalia, but males seem to lack a perineal scent gland.

According to Animal Diversity Web (ADW): Sulawesi palm civets posses a soft, short, fine coat with brown coloration on the back and yellow brown coloration on the under parts. The breast may have a reddish tint. Vague darker spots are arranged along the back in two vertical rows on either side of the spine. Between seven and eleven light yellowish tail rings can also be present, but may be incomplete or irregularly spaced. The tip of the tail is darker. The face is brown with paler zones of hair around the eyes, in the ears, and along the upper lip. /=\

Sulawesi palm civet range

Sulawesi palm civets are arboreal (live in trees), terricolous (live on the ground), nocturnal (active at night), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary) and solitary. They are good climbers and specialize in arboreal hunting and foraging. Their semi-retractable claws, quick reflexes, flexible feet, and a mobile tail for balance and bracing all help in moving around in trees. They spends more time on the ground than some related species. The length of time between visits to a particular site (5 to 10 days) by individual Sulawesi palm civets suggests that they maintain a large home range.

Sulawesi palm civets sense using vision, touch, sound and chemicals usually detected with smell and communicate with vision and chemicals usually detected by smelling. Unlike Malay civets, they do not make latrines to mark territory with repeated defecation in the same place. They do leave scratch markings on trees two meters or so from the ground. Females likely ise their perineal scent glands to communicate.

The reproductive habits of Sulawesi palm civets has not been extensively studied. Their breeding interval and mating season are unknown. Females have two pairs of nipples and are believed to take on the majority of — if not all — the young-rearing duties, In general, civets have one to two litters of one to three young per year, with a gestation period of 30 to 60 days. Time to sexual maturity is about one year.

Hose's Palm Civet

Hose’s palm civets (Diplogale hosei) are native to Borneo. Also known as Hose’s civets, they have primarily been observed in the northwestern hills and mountains of Sarawak, Malaysia, but have also been spotted in Brunei, Sabah and 500 kilometers to the southwest in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Hose’s palm civets primarily inhabit montane forests between 450 and 1500 meters (1,478 to 4,920 feet). They are mainly terrestrial rather than arboreal and forage along mossy stream banks, although some been observed in the forest canopy. The forests they inhabit are mostly mature mixed dipterocarp, but some sightings have occurred in recently logged areas, meaning they can adapt to human disturbances.[Source: Jessica McLaughlin, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Hose's palm civet from 1892

Hose's palm civets are named after the zoologist Charles Hose, who collected the first specimen in Sarawak in 1891. On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List they are listed as Vulnerable. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. As they are very elusive, the exact status of Hose’s palm civets is uncertain. It is likely, however, that they have been adversely impacted by human activity such as logging, plantation agriculture and slash-and-burn farming. Only one individual Hose's palm civet has been kept in captivity.

Hose's palm civets are primarily carnivores (eat meat or animal parts) and mostly eat terrestrial vertebrates and fish. The single individual held in captivity ate mostly small fish, chicken and lunchmeat, but refused fruit, rice, and fish that were too large to eat in a single bite or that had large scales or spines. This, along with their likely adaptations for foraging around streams, seems to indicate that fish make up most of their diet, along with other meat. Fruit and other plant matter probably only contributes significantly to their diet when fish or other meat is unavailable. The individual in captivity ate about 100 grams of food daily.

Hose's Palm Civet Characteristics and Behavior

Hose’s palm civets range in weight from 1.4 to 1.5 kilograms (3 to 3.30 pounds) and range in length from 76 to 89 centimeters (29.9 to 35 inches). They have a head and body length of around 50 centimeters (19.7 inches). Their tail is often 30 centimeters (12 inches) or longer. Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar. [Source: Jessica McLaughlin, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

According to Animal Diversity Web: Hose’s palm civets are blackish-brown, with a long body and short legs. Its underparts are greyish or yellowish-white. It has long whiskers (over 15 centimeters long) and semi-webbed paws that have patches of short hair between the pads of their foot; both of these have been suggested as adaptations for foraging along stream and riverbanks and other moist areas. Its nose is very distinctive: the rhinarium is a contrasting color to the rest of the animal, and the protruding nostrils open at the sides of the nose. While variations in color have been noted, it is not known whether this is due to geographical or individual variations. /=\

range of Hose's palm civet

Hose’s palm civets are terricolous (live on the ground) and nocturnal (active at night). Hose’s palm civets sense using vision, touch and chemicals usually detected with smell and communicate with vision and chemicals and leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. Very little is known about their behavior and of what has been surmised is based on mainly inferences drawn from their physical characteristics, a handful of sightings, observations of the single captive individual and behaviors of similar species. ever held in captivity. Camera traps have primarily recorded Hoe’s palm civets at night. During two and a half months of observation the captive individual in left its hole only after dark. The partially webbed paws and long whiskers of Hose’s palm civets suggest they might be semi-aquatic.

Nothing is known about the reproductive behavior of Hose’s palm civets. Similar species typically give birth to two litters each with one to two young. Young are born helpless with their eyes closed and several months is needed to wean them. Parental care is carried out by females. /=\

Small-Toothed Palm Civets and Small Indian Civets

Small-toothed palm civets (Arctogalidia trivirgata) are widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia from northeast India in the west to Vietnam in the east and southward to to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo Java in Indonesia and have been observed in Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Laos. Their lifespan in the wild is estimated to be 10 to 12 years.[Source: Chris Bauer, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Small-toothed palm civets have been observed in a wide variety of habitats including low-lands, canopies of dense primary forest, secondary tropical forest, and areas in areas with active logging and coconut plantations. They have also been seen in mixed coniferous forest up at elevations up to 1,450 meters (4,757 feet). Reports of sightings in remote areas of the forests are common and occasionally they are sighted as close as three kilometers from established villages, but this is not common./=\

Small Indian civets (Viverricula indica) are distinguished from large Indian civets their significantly smaller size, lack of a dorsal crest of fur, smaller gap between their ears, shorter rostra (muzzle) and absence of long black hairs. Small Indian civets are only about 95 centimeters (37.4 inches) long, including their 25 centimeter (10 inch) tail. They weigh 2.5 to four kilograms (5.5 to 8.8 pounds). They are the only member of the genus Viverricula, and have ten recognized subspecies. Their lifespan in captivity is up to 22 years. [Source: Ethan Shirley, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Small Indian civets are also known as lesser oriental civets, rasses, little civets and seven-banded civets. They inhabit areas across Asia, from Pakistan in the west to southern and central China in the east. The are found in India and every country in South Asia as well as every country in Southeast Asia, including Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali. They has been introduced to Zanzibar, Madagascar, Comoros, and Socotra (islands off the East coast of Africa) as well as several islands in the Philippines.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.

Last updated January 2025