African Civet, Zambia
Found only in sub-Saharan Africa, this small mammal is about 16 inches tall (40 cm) and 30 inches long (76 cm).
Although the population of this weasel relative is not officially endangered, they are difficult to observe. In addition to being nocturnal and solitary, they are prey to many African stalkers including leopards and lions. The species has also suffered from habitat loss. I have seen far more shining sets of civet eyes on nighttime safaris, than the actual animal.
An omnivorous hunter, Civettictis civetta eat plants and animals including vertebrates, invertebrates, and carrion. The African civet, unlike other civets, is also semiaquatic. More info here.
Named for their musky gland secretion, both genders secrete civet, used for marking territory. For hundreds of years this mammal has been hunted by humans for their secretion, used as a basic ingredient in perfumes (including Chanel No. 5). Fortunately synthetic musk has replaced this.
We lucked out on the day we spotted one in daylight, and what a joy the civet was to behold.
Photo credit: Athena Alexander
Sad to know they are on the verge of extinction!
They are not endangered, they are not on the verge of extinction, a fortunate thing for all of us. Thank you Alok.
Oh, reading the post it appeared so.
Many thanks, Alok~~
lucky that you got a photo like this of such a secretive animal!!
Thanks Matthias — yes, it was very fortunate. 😀
Who would have thought Chanel No. 5……fascinating!! Great post…..I learn so much from each of them!!
I thought that little tidbit was hilarious when I was researching for this post, Kirt. It’s a grand world, isn’t it? Delighted you enjoyed the post, and I so appreciate your visits and interest. 😀
Seems a bit gross the secretion was added to a perfume. Glad there is an alternative now. It has a nice coat of fur too. 🙂
I’m sure the civets are glad there’s an alternative now, too. I like that coat of fur, too, John — thanks so very much for stopping by. 😀
Another cutie 🙂 thats a large weasle 😉
So many cuties in this world! Thanks so much Morgan. 😀
Another animal I new nothing about….thank you so much. The story about using their secretion for perfume….is also sobering…so glad that they have found an alternative. Janet xx
It’s a rich and diverse world when we have so many animals we don’t know them all. I am honored to have introduced you to the civet, Janet — and so appreciate your visit. 😀
Chanel No. 5 – Ode du Weasel? Interesting stuff as usual!
I love your take on Chanel No. 5, Jan — made me smile. Thanks so much for your visit today. 😀
Wonderful to learn about this creature. Thank you, Jet!
I am really glad you enjoyed the civet post today, Amy — thanks so much for your visit and comment. 😀
Hunted for perfume? Oh my I am glad to hear that has stopped. So lucky you managed to see this one. Perhaps he didn’t get the memo that the game of hide and seek was still on. 🙂
We were really excited when we had a civet in the daylight. And funny to think their secretions were used in perfume. So very glad you enjoyed the post today, Sue, thank you so much. 😀
Hi Jet, what unusual markings. He looks part, tiger, cheetah, raccoon and tiger with his patterns. Thanks for sharing the information.
Your description is great, Sharon — it is a curious looking animal with beautiful markings. For a long time I thought it was a wild cat. So glad you enjoyed the civet post, Sharon. 😀
Reblogged this on Art, animals, and the earth.
Thank you for the re-blog, Sharon! 😀
I love animals, my love for them (especially elephants) has got me to where I am today. I find the beauty in every animal. I don’t understand how people say some animals are ugly I just can’t allow myself to feel like that about them. So happy to read that synthetics are available to help protect them and let them keep what rightfully belongs to them. Being vegetarian, I look for synthetics all the time, I don’t support using animals for anything; they are here for a reason and it is not to supply us with products or to be at our disposal for whatever we want just because ‘we’ feel superior and have domination over them.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Stacey Ann — thank you.
How wonderful to see 😀
Thanks so much, Sarah — glad to know this wonderful creature inspired you today. 🙂
My dearly departed used to refer to skunks as civet cats. Probably no relation to the African version, but I can’t help but wonder how the term was adopted here.
“Civet cats” is how some people refer to civets. I’m not sure how the skunk reference came in, but I do know that the civet secretion is supposedly a horrid and strong smell until it is diluted. I really liked the quirkiness of this comment, Gunta — gave me a fun smile as I sit here typing…. 😀
Your replies are a delight. I’m just happy to provide smiles whenever I can. Hubby had some truly colorful sayings from his logging days.
I hope you keep sharing them, Gunta — very, very fun. 😀
I like this animal – all the more for being elusive and a little odd looking when finally spotted! Glad to read you caught up with one, and I enjoyed the photographic evidence. They’re a bit of everything – how wonderful!
You can certainly understand why they’re elusive, when they’ve got lions and leopards around wanting to eat them. yikes. I like your summary, here, pc — and glad you enjoyed the post. Your visit, and interest, and presence here are very much appreciated. 😀
Will I ever visit your space and find something that I know about?I doubt it,dear Jet.What a lovable little critter it is!You were lucky to meet it in the daylight;Athena’s image is gorgeous and it clearly shows its characteristics and especially its beautiful coat.Concerning its secretions and the perfumes,it reminds me of the Uric Acid they use in cosmetics … lol Hope it’s synthetic too.Best always 🙂 ^)))***
You have me laughing here, Doda. Uric acid and civet secretions, mmmm, yummy perfumes. I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the civet post, and so appreciate your visit and spirited comment. A wish to you for a pleasant weekend, dear Doda…. 😀 😀
Have I?He who laughs, lasts …!Thank you for your wish;the same to you my good friend Jet 🙂
😀 😀
Kind of nice looking… sort of cat-ish.
Funny you say that, I once thought the civet was a wild cat. Thanks for stopping by today, Resa. 😀
You were really lucky to see this civet in day light! I only know they have beautiful eyes in the dark 😀
Exactly! We were lucky that day. So glad to have you visit today, Tiny — many thanks! 😀
Thanks for another interesting post Jet. My mind boggles at the thought about the link between these lovely creatures and the perfume industry ……
My mind was boggled by that link as well, Gill. We read and hear about furs (especially these days), but the civet’s secretions and perfume slipped past the public. Fortunately most perfumes are synthetic now (but what does that mean exactly, I don’t know). Glad you enjoyed the post, Gill. Thanks for stopping by. 😀
Great Post.
Thank you Mukul!
welcome