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Classification Range and Habitat Physical Description Reproduction Lifespan Behavior Diet Predators Links
classification:
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Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Viverridae
Subfamily
Paradoxurinae
Genus
Paguma
Species
Paguma larvata
range and habitat:
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The Masked Palm Civet has the widest range of all the civets. Some of the many places it is a native species are Laos, Sumatra, Borneo, Taiwan, Hainan, Eastern and Southern China, and many more. They were also introduced to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku.
They inhabit all kinds of forest; deciduous, mixed deciduous, tropical rain forests, and evergreen. They are also found in mountainous areas and near human settlements.
physical description:
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The Masked Palm Civet can weigh from 3.6 to 5 kg (7.92 to 11 lbs). Their body is 50 to 76 cm long and the tail ranges from 50 to 64 cm long. They have short coats that range from black to white with the main body being a muddled grey and they have highlights of buff, orange, and/or yellowish red. The tail and body are void of stripes, spots, or bands. The white and black markings on their face resemble a mask; hence Masked Palm Civet. These markings are a warning symbol to the very foul and potent secretion that can be discharged from the four anal glands.
DENTAL FORMULA :
*note this is only half of the mouth
|
Incisors |
Canines |
Pre-molars |
Molars |
|
3/3 |
1/1 |
3/4 |
2/2 |
reproduction:
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There is not much known about the mating behavior of the Masked Palm Civet. They have two breeding seasons; one in early spring and the other in late autumn. They have from 1 to 4 offspring in a litter. The mother has four mammary glands and the bond between mother and young is very strong until weaning. The offspring have their eyes open by the ninth day and reach adult size by three months of age.
life span:
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The Masked Palm Civet has an average lifespan of 10 years in the wild, but is know to have lived up to 20 years in captivity.
behavior:
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The Masked Palm Civet is arboreal; they make their beds in the top 10% of a tree, 80% of the time. These beds are usually located near a water source and are not generally reused. They are solitary and nocturnal; they are active 50% of the night and can travel between 1 and 2 square kilometers. Within their 1-2 kilometer range they can be territorial.
diet:
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The Masked Palm Civet is an omnivore; they mainly eat fruits but they also consume small vertebrates, insects, and birds.
predators:
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The Masked Palm Civet is known to be preyed upon by an array of animals. Here are a few, but not limited to:
Tigers
Hawks
Leopards
Jaguars
Humans
links:
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Lion Crusher's Domain-Info page for Masked Palm Civet
Animal Diversity Web-Info page for Masked Palm Civet
Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia-Info page for Masked Palm Civet
Lion Crusher's Domain-SARS and the Masked Palm Civet
For more information about the Small Carnivore Tag or this page please contact the SCTAG Education Liaison .
This page was created by Tenielle Welch, Zoo Animal Technology, PJC student class of 2007.