| Civets are a group of small to medium-sized
predators with pointed snouts, short legs, long bodies
and tails. They bear a slight resemblance to cats. A secretion
from the perennial glands of some species is used in preparation
of medicines and perfumes. Of the six species found in
Nepal, four occur in Chitwan and all are nocturnal.
LARGE INDIAN CIVET (Viverra zibetha)
The large Indian civet can be distinguished from its
smaller counterpart by the erectile crest of black hair
that runs along the middle of its back, adults average
a length of 1.2 m, including the tail. Civets are partial
to scrub forest and are said to breed twice a year.
They are nocturnal and solitary hunters of small mammals,
birds and reptiles, but they also eat roots and fruit.
It is their highly-developed perennial glands that secrete
the civet used commercially in medicines and perfumes.
SMALL INDIAN CIVET (Viverricula indica)
This animal usually measures less than a meter. This
civet prefers prefer inhabited areas where they can
hunt rodents and other small animals, and obtain fruits
and vegetables easily
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