Is Asian Palm Civet dangerous? Even though civets are small and look rather cute, these creatures are much more than meets the eye. You need to tread with caution when dealing with them since they can bite or scratch you.
This is because civets are usually quite shy and as a result, pose little danger to humans. Still, if you happen to come across one, it’s important that you know certain things about them, so they don’t end up surprising you.
What exactly is a civet? It’s an arched-back carnivore that can be found in Asia and Africa. The most common type of civet is the African civet which looks like a mixture of a cat and a weasel with yellowish-brown stripes and spots on its back. There are two other species – the Asian palm civet and hog-nosed civet – but they are not as commonly found as the African variety.
What Do Civets Look Like?
Civets are small, furry animals with stout bodies and long tails. They are about the same length as domestic cats but weigh up to three times more.Their body is covered with a mixture of black, yellow, and red-brown fur – a combination. That fur makes them easily recognizable.
The African civet has a dark brown or black coat in the summer and a greyish-yellow coat in the winter months. The coat of the Asian palm civet, on the other hand, is always yellowish-brown.
Civets have large, round heads with big eyes and a short muzzle. Their large, round ears have a black tip, and they have five toes on each paw – four of which have claws.
Where Can You Find A Civet?
Civets live in the wild in parts of Asia and Africa. They are primarily arboreal (tree-dwelling) but they also spend time on the ground exploring and foraging for food.
They are primarily found in tropical rain-forests and tropical deciduous forests. Civets are nocturnal creatures which mean they are very active during the night and sleep during the day.
This is why you may not get a chance to see them during the day. Civets are also solitary animals except when they are mating or caring for their young.
What Does Civet Eat?
The African civet is an omnivore and feeds on both plants and animals. They mostly feed on insects and worms but have also been known to eat rodents, frogs, lizards, and other small animals.
They have also been reported to eat carrion and have been known to feed on dead animals. Civets have a very poor digestion system which means they can only provide small amounts of food at a time.
This can be explained by the fact that their small intestines are only about 1.5 times the length of their body which is significantly shorter than that of other omnivores.
Is Asian Palm Civet Dangerous To Humans?
Civets are usually shy and try to avoid any conflict with humans. This is why they have been kept as pets since the 14th century. These creatures are also known to produce a musky odor from their anal glands which can be quite pungent.
If a civet feels threatened or is trying to mark its territory, it will spray this odor which can be very strong. Civets are also known to be nocturnal and arboreal which means they spend most of their time in trees, away from humans. .
The only time they come down to the ground is when they are looking for food (small animals, reptiles, and insects) or have to urinate and defecate. Even then they try to keep a safe distance from humans.
Conclusion
Civets are shy creatures and pose very little danger to humans. However, it’s important to be careful around them since they can bite or scratch you. If you happen to come across a civet in the wild, stay away from it and leave it alone.
They are mostly found in tropical rain-forests and tropical deciduous forests.
They are also nocturnal and arboreal which means they spend most of their time in trees away from humans.
