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Viverra zibetha Linnaeus, 1758
| Family Name: | Viverridae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Large Indian Civet |
Name
Description
| Description | Body is grey or tawny-brown with dark pattern on flanks with wavy lines, often with some spotting on legs. Bold black and white throat pattern consisting of three black collars separated by white collars. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found in forest and scrubland. This nocturnal, largely carnivorous and generally solitary animal is primarily terrestrial in habits although it can climb with ease. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | Recently known from one individual at Jalan Bahar in May 1990. Since then, there have been unconfirmed sightings from various parts of the country including the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Pulau Tekong, Lornie Road and Old Holland Road. This species occurs in Southeast Asia from the eastern Himalayas and southern China, southwards to the Malay Peninsula. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss and possibly trapping. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This animal is eaten by some people for its supposed medicinal properties. |
| Conservation Notes | Research should be conducted on the local population of this species. Protection should be afforded to wooded areas outside designated nature reserve like parts of the Western Catchment Area and Pulau Tekong. |
Status
| Conservation Status | Indeterminate |
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| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008], Endangered (E) [1994] |
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 Francis, C.M. 2008. A field guide to the mammals of South-east Asia. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. 392pp Ng, P.K.L. & Wee, Y.C. (Eds.). 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book (1st Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 343pp |
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