Great Spotted Civet Cat

Great Spotted Civet Cat
	Great spot civet ( Viverra megaspila )
Systematics
Order :	Predators (Carnivora)
Subordination :	Feline (Feliformia)
Family :	Crawling cats (Viverridae)
Subfamily :	Civet cats (Viverrinae)
Genre :	Asiatic civets ( Viverra )
Type :	Great Spotted Civet Cat
Scientific name
	Viverra megaspila
	( Blyth , 1862)

The large spot civet cat ( Viverra megaspila ) is a species of predator from the family of the stealthy cats (Viverridae). The species occurs in Southeast Asia and is considered endangered. Little is known about their way of life.

description

Paw pads of Malabar civet (left: A, B) and large spot civet (right: C, D)

The large spot civet is a relatively large species of the genus Viverra . When fully grown, it reaches a head body length of 72–85 cm and a tail length of 30–37 cm. The body weight is 8–9 kg. The basic color varies from gray to yellow-brown and contrasts with the black spots on the flanks and thighs. Like the similar Malabar civet , it has a fairly distinct coat of paint with relatively large spots. Along the back line runs a section of black, stand-up hair that is about 6 cm long. The tail is marked with black rings. The black and white bands in the area of the throat and on the sides of the neck are noticeable. The feet are brownish. Compared to the Indian civet , the head is more massive and the muzzle is longer. The skull itself also has some differences. In addition, the civet cat has slightly smaller canines and incisors, while the row of molars is longer. Compared to the Malabar civet, the molars are smaller. There are also differences in the morphology of the balls of the feet. Large-spot civets have two pairs of teats.

Tooth formula: ${\ displaystyle {I3 \ times C1 \ times P4 \ times M2 \ over I3 \ times C1 \ times P4 \ times M2}}$

distribution and habitat

Geographical distribution area of the large spot civet

The large spot civet lives in large parts of Southeast Asia from southern China to the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula . In this area it settles primarily in evergreen and deciduous forests of the lowlands, whereby disturbed secondary forests are also inhabited. The species is rarely found above 300 m, the highest records are around 520 m. The distribution area originally includes China, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. However, no current evidence is available for China and Malaysia. Historically, the great spot civet has also been recorded from the island of Penang . It is unclear whether Singapore is part of the distribution area.

Systematics

The Malabar civet ( Viverra civettina ) was until recently considered a subspecies of the large spot civet. Today both are considered separate species. All other populations are considered monotypical , so no more subspecies are distinguished.

Way of life

Little is known about the way of life of this species. The animals are predominantly nocturnal and live solitary. They mainly stay on the ground.

Danger

Due to the destruction of the lowland forests, the species' habitats are increasingly disappearing. Direct hunting, especially with traps and dogs, is also a threat. However, there is hardly any information on the exact population figures. The populations are believed to have decreased by about 30% in 15 years. Because of this strong population decline, the species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN . In all countries with the exception of Cambodia and possibly Myanmar , the occurrence areas are highly fragmented. In the extreme north and south of the distribution area, the situation is particularly dramatic. There is no current evidence for the occurrence of the species from there. The most recent reports from China and Malaysia are from 1998 and 1985, respectively. The species occurs in some protected areas, such as the Taphyra National Park in Thailand. In most of the states within its range, the great spot civet is protected, but not in China.

literature

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e A. P. Jennings, G. Veron, (2009). Family Viverridae (Civets, Genets and Oyans). In: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, 2009, ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1 , (p. 211).
↑ ^a ^b Viverra megaspila in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: Duckworth, JW, Timmins, RJ, Olsson, A., Roberton, S., Kanchanasaka, B., Than Zaw, Jennings, A. & Veron , G., 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2012.

Web links

Commons : Great Spotted Civet - Collection of images, videos, and audio files

[HMW_2009-1] A. P. Jennings, G. Veron, (2009). Family Viverridae (Civets, Genets and Oyans). In: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, 2009, ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1 , (p. 211).

[IUCN-2] Viverra megaspila in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: Duckworth, JW, Timmins, RJ, Olsson, A., Roberton, S., Kanchanasaka, B., Than Zaw, Jennings, A. & Veron , G., 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2012.