Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Viverridae Scientific Name : Viverra Tangalunga Size(H) : 43cm - 71cm (17in - 28in) Weight : 1.4kg - 4.5kg (3lbs - 10lbs) Life Span : 15 - 20 years Colour : Black, White, Grey, Yellow, Brown, Tan Skin Type : Fur Distinctive Features : Elongated body and snout with sharp, pointed teeth
- Malayan Civets are species of civets, native to Malaysia and the surrounding islands.
- They are also known as the oriental civet.
- Distinctively, they have dark legs and spot-like markings forming stripes along their body.
- They also have a long tail, marked by black bands providing them with excellent camouflage.
- They inhabit the rainforests and tropical jungles and the surrounding islands.
- Though they appear and behave like cats, they are not felines, but are closely related to mongooses and weasels.
- They are nocturnal animals, hunting under the cover of darkness.
- They are solitary ground-dwelling animals which also climb trees to hunt or to hide from predators.
- They are carnivores, hunting and preying on snakes, frogs, rodents, lizards, insects and other small creatures.
- Their natural predators are leopards, tigers, crocodiles and large snakes.
- The female Malayan civet gives birth to around 4 young after a 2-month gestation.
- The young are cared for by their mother till they are able to fend for themselves.
- On an average, they live to be around 20 years old in the wild.
- Due to extensive deforestation and consequent habitat loss, they are a species that is vulnerable from extinction.