Animals Unique | African Civet Predators | African Civet Classification and Evolution
The African Civet is a large species of Civet found across sub-Saharan Africa.The African Civet is the only remaining member in it's genetic group and is Considered to be the largest Civet-like animal on the African continent. Despite Their cat-like appearance and Behaviours, the African civets are not felines at all but are in fact, more closely related to other small carnivores Including Weasels and mongooses. The African Civet is most well known for the musk That it secretes to mark it's territory (called Civetone), the which has been used in the manufacturing of perfumes for Centuries, and it's striking black and white markings, make the African Civet one of the easiest Civet species to identify.
African Civet Anatomy and Appearance
One of the African Civet's most distinctive features are the black and white markings on Their fur and gray face, the which along with the black band around Their Eyes, Gives these animals a Raccoon-like appearance. The similarity is only heightened by the fact That the African Civet's Hind legs are quite a bit longer than the front legs, making it's stance very different to That of a Mongoose. The average adult African Civet has a body length of around 70cm with tail nearly the same length on top of that. The Paws of the African Civet each have five digits with retractable claws to non-enable the Civet to move about in the trees more easily.
African Civet Anatomy and Appearance
One of the African Civet's most distinctive features are the black and white markings on Their fur and gray face, the which along with the black band around Their Eyes, Gives these animals a Raccoon-like appearance. The similarity is only heightened by the fact That the African Civet's Hind legs are quite a bit longer than the front legs, making it's stance very different to That of a Mongoose. The average adult African Civet has a body length of around 70cm with tail nearly the same length on top of that. The Paws of the African Civet each have five digits with retractable claws to non-enable the Civet to move about in the trees more easily.
African Civet Distribution and Habitat
The African Civet is found in a variety of habitats on the African continent, with it's range extending from coast to coast in sub-Saharan Africa. African civets are most commonly found in tropical forests and jungles and areas where there is plenty of dense vegetation cover and to Provide both animals That feeds on the African civets. African civets are never found in arid regions and always must be in an area of the which has a good water source. Despite this though, it is not uncommon for African civets to be found along rivers That leads into the more arid regions. They are capable swimmers and Their Often spend time hunting and resting in the trees as well as on the ground.
African Civet Behaviour and Lifestyle
The African Civet is a solitary animal That only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food. These animals are primarily nocturnal tree-dwelling creatures That spend most of the daylight hours resting in the safety of the trees high above. African civets growing niche to be most active just after sunset but growing niche to hunt in areas still That Provide plenty of cover. Despite being very solitary creatures Generally, the African Civet has been known to gather in groups of up to 15 members particularly during the mating season. They are also highly territorial animals, marking Their boundaries with the scent released by Their perineal glands.
The African Civet is found in a variety of habitats on the African continent, with it's range extending from coast to coast in sub-Saharan Africa. African civets are most commonly found in tropical forests and jungles and areas where there is plenty of dense vegetation cover and to Provide both animals That feeds on the African civets. African civets are never found in arid regions and always must be in an area of the which has a good water source. Despite this though, it is not uncommon for African civets to be found along rivers That leads into the more arid regions. They are capable swimmers and Their Often spend time hunting and resting in the trees as well as on the ground.
African Civet Behaviour and Lifestyle
The African Civet is a solitary animal That only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food. These animals are primarily nocturnal tree-dwelling creatures That spend most of the daylight hours resting in the safety of the trees high above. African civets growing niche to be most active just after sunset but growing niche to hunt in areas still That Provide plenty of cover. Despite being very solitary creatures Generally, the African Civet has been known to gather in groups of up to 15 members particularly during the mating season. They are also highly territorial animals, marking Their boundaries with the scent released by Their perineal glands.
African Civet Reproduction and Life Cycles
The only time when African civets seem to be seen together is when They are mating. The female African Civet usually Gives birth to up to four young after a gestation period That Lasts for a couple of months. The African Civet female nests in an underground Burrow That has been dug by another animal in order to Safely raise her young. Unlike many of Carnivorous Their relatives, babies are usually born Civet quite mobile and with Their fur. The babies are nursed by Their mother until They are strong enough to Fend for Themselves. African civets can live for up to 20 years, although many rarely get to be this old.
African Civet Diet and Prey
Despite the fact That the African Civet is a Carnivorous mammal, it has a very varied diet consists of both That animal and plant matter. Such animals as small rodents, Lizards, Snakes and Frogs make up the majority of the African Civet's diet, along with Insects, berries and fallen fruits That it finds on the forest floor. The African Civet predominantly uses it's teeth and mouth to gather food instead of using it's paws. This method of eating That means the African Civet can use it's 40 sharp teeth Effectively it's a catch to break down, and the strong jaw of the African Civet makes it harder for it's meal to try and escape.
The only time when African civets seem to be seen together is when They are mating. The female African Civet usually Gives birth to up to four young after a gestation period That Lasts for a couple of months. The African Civet female nests in an underground Burrow That has been dug by another animal in order to Safely raise her young. Unlike many of Carnivorous Their relatives, babies are usually born Civet quite mobile and with Their fur. The babies are nursed by Their mother until They are strong enough to Fend for Themselves. African civets can live for up to 20 years, although many rarely get to be this old.
African Civet Diet and Prey
Despite the fact That the African Civet is a Carnivorous mammal, it has a very varied diet consists of both That animal and plant matter. Such animals as small rodents, Lizards, Snakes and Frogs make up the majority of the African Civet's diet, along with Insects, berries and fallen fruits That it finds on the forest floor. The African Civet predominantly uses it's teeth and mouth to gather food instead of using it's paws. This method of eating That means the African Civet can use it's 40 sharp teeth Effectively it's a catch to break down, and the strong jaw of the African Civet makes it harder for it's meal to try and escape.
Civet African Predators and Threats
Despite being a secretive yet a Relatively ferocious predator, the African Civet is actually preyed upon by a number of other predators within Their natural environment. Large predatory Cats are the most common predators of the African Civet Including Lions and Leopards along with Reptiles Such large as Snakes and Crocodiles. Civet African Populations are also under threat from both habitat loss and deforestation, and have been subject to trophy hunters in the past, across the continent. One of the biggest threats to the African Civet is the want for Their musk.
African Civet Interesting Facts and Features
The musk secreted by the glands close to the African Civet's reproductive organs has been collected by Humans for Hundreds of years. In it's concentrated form, the smell is said to be quite offensive to people, but much more pleasant once diluted. It was this scent That Became one of the ingredients in some of the most expensive perfumes in the world (and made the African Civet a well-known African animal). African civets are known to carry the rabies disease, the which is contracted through contact with an already infected animal. The African Civet is also known to use designated areas around it's territory, where it is Able to go to the toilet.
Despite being a secretive yet a Relatively ferocious predator, the African Civet is actually preyed upon by a number of other predators within Their natural environment. Large predatory Cats are the most common predators of the African Civet Including Lions and Leopards along with Reptiles Such large as Snakes and Crocodiles. Civet African Populations are also under threat from both habitat loss and deforestation, and have been subject to trophy hunters in the past, across the continent. One of the biggest threats to the African Civet is the want for Their musk.
African Civet Interesting Facts and Features
The musk secreted by the glands close to the African Civet's reproductive organs has been collected by Humans for Hundreds of years. In it's concentrated form, the smell is said to be quite offensive to people, but much more pleasant once diluted. It was this scent That Became one of the ingredients in some of the most expensive perfumes in the world (and made the African Civet a well-known African animal). African civets are known to carry the rabies disease, the which is contracted through contact with an already infected animal. The African Civet is also known to use designated areas around it's territory, where it is Able to go to the toilet.
African Civet Relationship with Humans
Each secretes African Civet musk up to 4g of every week, the which is normally collected from African civets in the wild. However, the capturing and keeping of African civets for musk Their is not unknown and is said to be an incredibly Cruel industry. Today, few still contain actual musk perfumes from the glands of an African Civet as many scents today are easily reproduced artificially. Although it is a protected yet not an endangered animal, the African Civet Populations have also been severely affected by human hunters, WHO carnivores to hunt these little Their skin simply add to the trophy cabinet.
African Civet Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African Civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of it's natural habitat. The main reason for Such extensive deforestation in the area is either for logging or to clear the land to the make way for Palm Oil Plantations. The African Civet is listed as being Least Concern, That the which means there is little threat at the moment the African Civet That Will Become extinct in the near future.
Each secretes African Civet musk up to 4g of every week, the which is normally collected from African civets in the wild. However, the capturing and keeping of African civets for musk Their is not unknown and is said to be an incredibly Cruel industry. Today, few still contain actual musk perfumes from the glands of an African Civet as many scents today are easily reproduced artificially. Although it is a protected yet not an endangered animal, the African Civet Populations have also been severely affected by human hunters, WHO carnivores to hunt these little Their skin simply add to the trophy cabinet.
African Civet Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African Civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of it's natural habitat. The main reason for Such extensive deforestation in the area is either for logging or to clear the land to the make way for Palm Oil Plantations. The African Civet is listed as being Least Concern, That the which means there is little threat at the moment the African Civet That Will Become extinct in the near future.
African Civet Predators Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Civettictis
Scientific Name: Civettictis Civetta
Common Name: African Civet
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: across sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan
Skin Type: Fur
Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in)
Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: rodents, Snakes, Frogs
Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Life Span: 15-20 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 11-12 months
Gestation Period: 60-70 days
Average Litter Size: 3
Name Of Young: Pup
Of Weaning Age: 8-10 weeks
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: abundant
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Black band around Their Eyes
Fun Fact: Secretes musk up to 4g of every week!
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Civettictis
Scientific Name: Civettictis Civetta
Common Name: African Civet
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: across sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Colour: Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan
Skin Type: Fur
Size (H): 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in)
Weight: 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: rodents, Snakes, Frogs
Predators: Lions, Snakes, Leopards
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Life Span: 15-20 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 11-12 months
Gestation Period: 60-70 days
Average Litter Size: 3
Name Of Young: Pup
Of Weaning Age: 8-10 weeks
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: abundant
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Black band around Their Eyes
Fun Fact: Secretes musk up to 4g of every week!
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