Viverrids | Viverridae
Viverridae is a family comprised of 38 species of small to medium sized carnivorous mammals with a long tail. Viverridae typically have bands, stripes, or spots adorning their bodies, retractable claws, and glands capable of producing a foul odor to ward off enemies. Viverrids are commonly called civets or genets and seem to have originated from Madagascar where there are quite a few native species. These carnivores tend to be nocturnal and many civets hunt small vertebrate, insects, worms, and mollusks. Despite there being a generally large number of existing genets, there is not much known about the habits of these creatures.
The two largest species of viverrids are the African civet and the fossa of Madagascar. Both of these species can reach a weigh of 44 lbs (20 kg). The African Civet can reach a length of between 2.2 to 2.8 feet (0.67 – 0.85 m). The Fossa of Madagascar typically reaches a length of 2.4 ft (0.73 m).
The Viverridae family is made up by 35 species of small Old-World mammals. These viverrids include the civet, fossa, binturong, genet, and linsang. Viverrids are typically medium-sized with long bodies and short legs. Their weight typically ranges between 2.2 – 30.86 lbs (1 kg to 14 kg).
Viverrids typically live in forests and dense vegetation. Viverrids are native to Southern Europe, Africa, Asia, as well as Indonesia and the Philippines. Viverrids live in diverse habitats ranging from rain forests to woodlands, savannas, and mountains. Some viverrids are mainly arboreal, some are terrestrial, and some species are aquatic.
