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(Nandinia binotata)
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Classification Range Physical Characteristics Diet Behavior Reproduction
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|
Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Viverridae |
| Subfamily | Nandiniinae |
| Genus | Nandinia |
| Species | binotata |
The African Palm Civet can be found in the tropical forests of eastern Africa, from southern Sudan to Guinea, north to south Angola, and eastern Zimbabwe.
African Palm Civets can be 18-23 inches long, with a 19-25 inch long tail. They usually weigh in at around 4-11 pounds. They have a thick, long coat that can vary in color from brown to yellowish-gray-brown. They are darker in color on the upper part of their body. They also have several spots and a ringed tail. Their feet are short, and do not have fur on the soles, instead they are covered with thick, pink skin. They have small, round ears, and short, strong legs. Their eyes are yellowish-green with pupils that are slit shaped.
They use their hands to eat their food, and their diet consists of insects, eggs, rodents, carrion, pineapples and fallen fruit, and fruit bats.
African Palm Civets are solitary, though they have been known to congregate in groups of up to 15 for feeding. They are crepuscular, meaning they are active during dawn and dusk, and spend the majority of their time up in the trees, coming down occasionally to find food.
They breed in May and in October and give birth to up to 4 young after a 2 month gestation. The females' mammary glands secrete an orange-yellow secretion that turns the mother's belly and the babies' fur orange-yellow. This is thought to be a deterrent for males who are looking to mate with the female or attack the young.
Males
reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age.
Females
reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age.
Their
gestation period is 64 days.
A
litter can contain 1-4 young.
Their
life span is 15 years in captivity.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species--Nandinia binotata
Wikipedia--African Palm Civet Page
Lioncrusher's Domain--African Palm Civet Page
Small Carnivore TAG Educational Liaison
Webpage designed by: Amy Helsley
Pensacola Junior College, Zoo Animal Technology Program, 2006