Small Indian Civet
Viverricula indica
(Also known as Rasse & Lesser Indian Civet)
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Subfamily: Viverrinae
Genus: Viverricula
Species: indica
Subspecies
V. i. indica-from Western Ghats
V. i. bengalensis- northern India
V. i. deserti- Rajasthan
V. i. wellsi- Kangra, Kumaun, and Uttar Pradesh
V. i. baptistae- upper Bengal and Assam
Range and Habitat
The Small Indian Civet is found in Myanmar, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and China. They are terrestrial and mostly inhabit areas of thick grass or low shrub.
Physical Appearance
Tawny to grey in color with dark legs, ears, and muzzle. It has spots all over its body that are arranged in rows and they also have a stripped tail. The tail is almost 2/3 the length of the head and body and is marked with 9-10 black rings.
 |
Head and Body Length= 29 in. |
|
|
Tail Length= 18 in. |
|
|
Weight= 4-6 lbs. |
Diet
|
|
Rats |
|
|
Squirrels |
|
|
Small birds |
|
|
Lizards |
|
|
Insects |
|
|
Grubs |
|
|
Fruit |
|
|
Eggs |
|
|
Fruits |
Reproduction & Social Behavior
The Small Indian Civet is nocturnal and normally solitary. They have no set breeding season; they are polyestrous. The young are birthed in a burrow dug by the mother.
|
|
Litter Size= 4-5 young |
|
|
Gestation= unknown |
|
|
Age at Sexual Maturity: unknown |
|
|
Lifespan: Captivity=22 yrs Wild= unknown |
Threats
|
|
Humans- Civets have a scent gland that is used by humans in perfumes. |
Status
|
|
CITES: Appendix III |
|
|
IUCN: Least Concern |
|
|
Schedule II, Part II, of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act |
Numbers in Captivity
|
|
Total Indian Zoo Population: 12.9.16 |
|
|
Number of Pairs in Zoos: 3 |
|
|
Singles Groups in Zoos: 16 |
|
|
Total U.S. Zoo Population: 0.2 |
Links for Civet Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For More Information:
Contact the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
Page created by Caly Murphy, Pensacola Junior College Zoo Animal Technology Program Student, Fall 2004