In the wild, African palm civets are a solitary and cautious creature that spends most of their time hiding in bushes or tree hollows to avoid predators. However, in our homes, they are a different animal — sociable, inquisitive, and affectionate. African palm civets are now among the most popular exotic pets. Civets have become very popular as exotic pets. It is because of their striking appearance and their tendency to be extremely friendly toward humans. These shy animals tend to be more trusting and interactive when kept as a pet – especially with frequent handling from their human companions. Do African Palm Civets make good pets? Let’s take a look at what you should know about these unique animals before deciding if they’re right for you…
What is an African Palm Civet?
The African palm civet is also known as the Egyptian civet, Hlabisa civet, or African civet. It is native to Africa, but it is also found in parts of Asia. It is a species of small carnivorous mammal of the Viverridae family, which includes the mongoose.
African palm civets are large and stocky animals, with a body length ranging from and a tail length ranging from. Males are larger than females.
Their long, coarse, shaggy fur can be any shade of brown, from pale yellow to deep orange-brown. It has dark rings on its tail and around its eyes and also has a white patch around its nose.
Learning about the African Palm Civet
There is a lot to know about these unusual animals before deciding if they are the right pet for you and your family. African palm civets are exotic creatures that many people only know about from zoos or wildlife documentaries.
This can lead to misconceptions about what it’s like to own one. African palm civets are a very different type of pet from dogs or cats. They are wild animals, and they are not domesticated like a dog or a cat would be. They have very special needs and require more time and effort to care for than a dog or a cat would.
Pros of Owning an African Palm Civet
African palm civets are unique and striking animals that are rarely seen in captivity. They have very distinctive markings and fur patterns, and they are active and inquisitive creatures.
These animals can live for up to 20 years, and most experts recommend waiting until your civet is at least a year old before you make a final decision about whether you want to keep it long-term. This is because civets are still growing and developing up until their second birthday.
Cons of Owning an African Palm Civet
African palm civets are not a “starter pet” for people who have never owned an exotic animal before. They have very specific needs and are not suitable for everyone.
Civets are wild animals, and they have very specific dietary and habitat requirements that must be met to keep them healthy. They are not domesticated like a dog or a cat is, so they don’t thrive in a household environment like pets that have been bred to live in our homes do.
Should you adopt an African palm civet?
If you think you would make a good owner for an African palm civet, you may want to consider adopting one from a rescue or animal shelter. African palm civet populations are dwindling in their natural habitat because of deforestation.
Unfortunately, many people purchase civets illegally as pets, which has led to a rise in poaching and illegal trafficking. Adopting a rescued civet will help you contribute to the conservation of this species, and you’ll be saving a life in the process.
