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Paguma larvata (Gray, 1827)
| Family Name: | Viverridae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Masked Palm Civet |
Name
Description
| Description | Dark "mask" around eyes and on muzzle, with white on cheeks or sometimes most of head. White stripe on top of head from nose to back of neck. Body colour is variable, from light brown, to dark brown or reddish, darker on legs and top of head. Tail may be dark throughout or only on distal half, sometimes with white tip. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found in mature forest. This nocturnal, ominivorous and generally solitary animal is primarily arboreal. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | In Singapore, one animal was sighted in 1993 in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and another in 1990 on Pulau Tekong. The species is widely distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss and possibly illegal trapping. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This animal is eaten by people of certain ethnic groups. Young individuals are said to make delightful pets. |
| Conservation Notes | Habitat protection and stringent policing against poaching. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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