
Photo: Aravinth · CC BY 4.0
Viverricula indica
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Diet
Mainly small vertebrates, especially rodents; also fruit, carrion and insects
Litter size
2-5
Weight
2-4kg
The small Indian civet is brown, yellow or tawny orange, with black and white rings on the neck, small body spots that run together into six to eight dark stripes along the back, and a black-and-white banded tail. Adults weigh 2 to 4 kg, and males are larger than females (Animal Diversity Web). It is the only species in its genus and is native to South and Southeast Asia.
It is generally solitary and nocturnal, mostly ground-living but a good climber, and rests in burrows or hollow logs. Prey is mainly small vertebrates, especially rodents, with fruit, carrion and insects taken opportunistically. Litters are two to five young.