Large Indian Civet
Encyclopedia
The Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha) is a member of the Viverrid family native to Southeast Asia
. In 2008, the IUCN classified the species as Near Threatened
, mainly because of the known heavy trade
as wild meat.
and the African civet
in size. The head-and-body length can range from 50 to 95 cm (19.7 to 37.4 in), the tail measuring 38 to 59 cm (15 to 23.2 in) and the hindfoot measuring 9 to 14 cm (3.5 to 5.5 in) long. Weight has been reported variously from 3.4 to 25 kg (7.5 to 55.1 lb), although most civets of this species average 5 to 11 kg (11 to 24.3 lb).
, northeast India
, Bhutan
to Myanmar
, Thailand
, the Malay peninsula
and Singapore
to Cambodia
, Laos
, Vietnam
and China
.
Five subspecies are recognized:
Six subspecies have been proposed but a taxonomic revision is needed. The validity of the new species Viverra tainguensis described in 1997 by Sokolov, Rozhnov and Pham Chong from Tainguen Plateau in Gialai Province in Vietnam
has been seriously questioned, and it is now generally considered a synonym of V. zibetha. Today research DNA confirm that be comprises the schedule of genes Viverra zibetha picta subspecies.
and nocturnal. They spend most of their time on the ground, though they are agile climbers. During the day, they sleep in burrows in the ground that have been dug by other animals and abandoned. They are territorial and mark their territories with excretions from their anal glands. Their territory can range from 1.7 to 5.4 km² (0.65637366960731 to 2.1 sqmi).
, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170.
it is called Gendera.
In Bengali it is called 'Bham' or 'Bham Biral' and 'Gandho Gokul' or 'Khatas'
Bengali proverb: "Buro Bham". Buro = old man Buro Bham means a cunning old man who observes every thing quietly and take action at an oppertune moment.
Biral= cat Gandho= smell or scent. Gokul= the place of Lord Krishna ( Govinda) . In Bengal there is a delicate variety of sweet and pleasant smelling rice known as Govindabhog rice (the rice which is offered to Lord Govinda). The secretion from prene gland of civet cat smells like that variety of rice so it is often called as "Gandho Gokul" ( by deepankar).
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. In 2008, the IUCN classified the species as Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
, mainly because of the known heavy trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
as wild meat.
Characteristics
Large Indian civets are generally grizzled greyish brown, with white and black bars along their neck, usually two white stripes and three black stripes on the tail, and a white muzzle. The hair on their back is longer. Their claws are retractable. They have hair in between their paw pads. This a large vivverid, measuring behind only the binturongBinturong
The Binturong , also known as the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or simply the Bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. It is the only member of its genus...
and the African civet
African Civet
The African Civet is the largest representative of the African Viverridae. It is the sole member of its genus. African Civets can be found from coast to coast across sub-Saharan Africa. They are primarily nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in dense vegetation...
in size. The head-and-body length can range from 50 to 95 cm (19.7 to 37.4 in), the tail measuring 38 to 59 cm (15 to 23.2 in) and the hindfoot measuring 9 to 14 cm (3.5 to 5.5 in) long. Weight has been reported variously from 3.4 to 25 kg (7.5 to 55.1 lb), although most civets of this species average 5 to 11 kg (11 to 24.3 lb).
Distribution and habitat
The large Indian civet ranges from NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, northeast India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
to Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, the Malay peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
to Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Subspecies
- V. z. zibetha (Linnaeus, 1758) is found in NepalNepalNepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, BhutanBhutanBhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
, upper BengalBengalBengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
; - V. z. ashtoni (SwinhoeRobert SwinhoeRobert Swinhoe FRS , was an English naturalist who worked as a Consul in Formosa. He discovered many Southeast Asian birds and several, such as Swinhoe's Pheasant, are named after him.-Biography:...
, 1864) - V. z. picta (Wroughton, 1915) is found east of AssamAssamAssam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
- V. z. pruinosus (Wroughton, 1917)
- V. z. hainana (Wang and Xu, 1983)
Six subspecies have been proposed but a taxonomic revision is needed. The validity of the new species Viverra tainguensis described in 1997 by Sokolov, Rozhnov and Pham Chong from Tainguen Plateau in Gialai Province in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
has been seriously questioned, and it is now generally considered a synonym of V. zibetha. Today research DNA confirm that be comprises the schedule of genes Viverra zibetha picta subspecies.
Diet
Large Indian civets are mostly carnivorous. They eat birds, frogs, snakes, small mammals, eggs, crabs, and fish, but also fruit and roots.Social behavior
Large Indian civets are solitarySolitary
Solitary is the state of being alone. The term may refer to:* shortened form of solitary confinement in jail* Solitary but social, a type of social organization in biology where individuals forage alone but share sleeping space...
and nocturnal. They spend most of their time on the ground, though they are agile climbers. During the day, they sleep in burrows in the ground that have been dug by other animals and abandoned. They are territorial and mark their territories with excretions from their anal glands. Their territory can range from 1.7 to 5.4 km² (0.65637366960731 to 2.1 sqmi).
Reproduction
Females breed at any time of the year, and generally have two litters a year. A litter usually consists of four young. They are born in a hole in the ground or in dense vegetation. They open their eyes at 10 days and are weaned at one month of age.Conservation
In Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170.
Local names
In AssameseAssamese language
Assamese is the easternmost Indo-Aryan language. It is used mainly in the state of Assam in North-East India. It is also the official language of Assam. It is also spoken in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and other northeast Indian states. Nagamese, an Assamese-based Creole language is widely used in...
it is called Gendera.
In Bengali it is called 'Bham' or 'Bham Biral' and 'Gandho Gokul' or 'Khatas'
Bengali proverb: "Buro Bham". Buro = old man Buro Bham means a cunning old man who observes every thing quietly and take action at an oppertune moment.
Biral= cat Gandho= smell or scent. Gokul= the place of Lord Krishna ( Govinda) . In Bengal there is a delicate variety of sweet and pleasant smelling rice known as Govindabhog rice (the rice which is offered to Lord Govinda). The secretion from prene gland of civet cat smells like that variety of rice so it is often called as "Gandho Gokul" ( by deepankar).