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African civet

Mammals

The African civet is a large viverrid native to sub-Saharan Africa and the only living member of the genus Civettictis. It is common and widely distributed in woodland and secondary forest and often lives in savanna and near rivers where tall grass gives cover. Its coarse wiry fur ranges from white to creamy yellow to reddish with deep brown to black stripes, spots and blotches, black bands round the eyes and neck, and an erectile dorsal crest, giving a cryptic pattern. Head and body length is 67 to 84 centimetres, with a tail of 34 to 47 centimetres, and weight averages 11 to 15 kilograms, making it the largest viverrid in Africa. It is primarily nocturnal, solitary and omnivorous, eating small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, carrion and plant matter, and it can eat toxic termites and millipedes. It is hunted for bushmeat and for the perfume ingredient civetone, and it is listed as Least Concern.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Omnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Threats
Biological Resource Use 2
Relationship to People
Farmed or Commercially Raised 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Conservation Status
Least Concern 2
Body Size Band
Medium 3
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 2
Lifespan
28 3
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Appendix III 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Civettictis, Taxa
Source African civet (Wikipedia)

In Biome

Savanna, Biomes
Source African civet (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Benin

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Threats
Quote, Threats
Skins and skulls of African civets were found in 2007 at the Dantokpa Market in southern Benin, where it was among the most expensive small carnivores.
Ethiopia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (4)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (4)
In the transboundary Dinder–Alatash (Sudan and Ethiopia) protected area complex it was recorded during surveys between 2015 and 2018.
Gabon

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In Gabon's Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, it was photographed close to forested areas during a survey in 2012.
Guinea

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
In Guinea's National Park of Upper Niger, it was recorded during surveys conducted in 1996 to 1997.
Republic of the Congo

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (3)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (3)
In the Republic of Congo, it was recorded in the Western Congolian forest–savanna mosaic of Odzala-Kokoua National Park during surveys in 2007.
Sudan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source African civet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (4)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (4)
In the transboundary Dinder–Alatash (Sudan and Ethiopia) protected area complex it was recorded during surveys between 2015 and 2018.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Civettictis civetta (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Food Habits
    C. civetta is omnivorous.
  • Conservation Status, CITES
    Appendix III
View the Source
2. African civet (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    The African civet (Civettictis civetta) is a large viverrid native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is considered common and widely distributed in woodlands and secondary forests.
  • Lead, conservation status
    It has been listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List since 2008.
  • Distribution and habitat
    It often inhabits savannahs, forests, and sometimes near rivers as the tall grasses and thickets present provide them with necessary cover during the day.
  • Feeding
    Research in southeastern Nigeria revealed that the African civet has an omnivorous diet.
  • Lead, activity pattern
    The African civet is primarily nocturnal and spends the day sleeping in dense vegetation, but wakes up at sunset.
  • Lead, threats
    In some countries, it is threatened by hunting, and wild-caught individuals are kept for producing civetone for the perfume industry.
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives
    In Guinea's National Park of Upper Niger, it was recorded during surveys conducted in 1996 to 1997.
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
    In Gabon's Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, it was photographed close to forested areas during a survey in 2012.
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives (3)
    In the Republic of Congo, it was recorded in the Western Congolian forest-savanna mosaic of Odzala-Kokoua National Park during surveys in 2007.
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives (4)
    In the transboundary Dinder-Alatash (Sudan and Ethiopia) protected area complex it was recorded during surveys between 2015 and 2018.
  • Threats
    Skins and skulls of African civets were found in 2007 at the Dantokpa Market in southern Benin, where it was among the most expensive small carnivores.
  • Ecology
    The African civet is primarily nocturnal
View the Source
3. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Civettictis civetta
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool
  • Lifespan, maximum longevity
    28 years (captivity)
  • Life history traits, adult weight
    13,667 g
View the Source
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