By Brian Kepner
Geographic Range
Prionodon pardicolor is native to most of mainland Southeast Asia, from India (Assam) to Vietnam, but has disappeared from much of its former range. It is no longer found in Sikkim and Thailand. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998)
Habitat
(656 ft)
Spotted linsangs occupy dense tropical forests. They have also been seen in areas with drier conditions. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Schliemann, 1990)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical 
; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest .
Physical Description
(20.94 oz)
(14.96 to 16.14 in; avg. 15.55 in)
Prionodon pardicolor is a long, thin, cat-like, arboreal carnivore. It is 38 to 41 cm long from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. The tail is 33 to 35 cm long. There are no reported differences in size between males and females. The head resembles that of a fox, but has a longer muzzle. The large, dark eyes see well at night. Hearing is acute and the pointy ears are highly mobile. The soft, dense fur feels like velvet and is cryptically colored with spots arranged in longitudinal rows. Individuals vary in coat color from orange-buff to pale brown. The long and fluffy tail is banded with eight to ten dark rings. The large, well padded feet are covered with short hair and have retractile claws. The front paws have claw sheaths, but the hind feet have protective lobes of skin. The complete covering of the legs by hair helps to distinguish linsangs from other members of the family Viverridae. In addition, these animals lack a perineal gland, and the second upper molars are missing. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: sexes alike.
Reproduction
Spotted linsangs are able to breed twice annually
February and August
The mating system of these animals has not been reported.
Spotted linsangs have one breeding season in February and a second in August. Individual females can produce one or two litters per year. Although no details are available on the reproductive cycle of P. pardicolor, the estrus cycle for banded linsangs (P. linsang), a related species, is 11 days. Litters of two are common. Newborn weight for P. linsang is 40 g. The young are hidden in tree or root hollows lined with dried vegetation, where they may stay until weaning. It is unknown if their mother teaches the young to hunt. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Nowak, 1999; Schliemann, 1990)
Further details on the reproduction of this species are not available. It is unknown when animals are weaned, when they disperse, at what age they reach sexual maturity, and at what age they first breed.
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous .
Like most carnivores, the young of this species are born helpless. A mother hides her young in tree or root hollows lined with dried vegetation, where they may stay until weaning. It is not known whether the mother teaches the young to hunt. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Schliemann, 1990)
In addition to seeing that her offspring are in a safe location, the mother provides the young with milk. It is not known whether or not the male provides parental care in this species.
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-independence (provisioning: female, protecting: female).
Lifespan/Longevity
A captive P. linsang lived for 10 years and 8 months. No data are available for P. pardicolor. (Nowak, 1999)
Behavior
Spotted linsangs are primarily arboreal predators. Their sharp claws and long, thin bodies help them to run along branches. Although primarily arboreal, these animals also spend time hunting on the ground. They are nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in nests in tree hollows or under tree roots. The nests are lined with dry leaves and twigs. They are not thought to be social. Because of their shy and reclusive nature, little is known of P. pardicolor in the wild. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Ducker, 1975; Schliemann, 1990)
Home Range
Home range size fo these animals has not been reported.
Communication and Perception
Communication has not been reported for this species. However, other viverrids are known to make some vocalizations. They also communicate through scent cues. Tactile communication is typically important between mates as well as between a mother and her young. (Nowak, 1999)
Food Habits
Spotted linsangs feed mainly on rodents, but also eat birds, insects, small reptiles, frogs, eggs, and carrion. In addition to meat, these viverrids are known to eat fruit. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Ducker, 1975)
Primary Diet:
carnivore (eats terrestrial vertebrates).
Animal Foods:
birds; mammals; amphibians; eggs; carrion ; insects.
Plant Foods:
fruit.
Predation
Predators have not been reported for this species.
Ecosystem Roles
Spotted linsangs are arboreal predators of insects and small vertebrates. As such, they probably impact the populations of these animals. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998)
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There is no reported negative effect of these animals on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
These animals are not thought to have any real economic impact on humans. Unlike other viverrids, spotted linsangs lack perineal glands so are not exploited for civet. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998)
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
Endangered.
CITES: [link]:
Appendix I.
As is the case for may small, raindforest animals, the major threat to P. pardicolor is loss of habitat through clear-cut logging and conversion of forests to agriculture. However, because of its beautiful fur, hunting also threatens its survival. (Beacham and Beetz, 1998; Schliemann, 1990)
For More Information
Find Prionodon pardicolor information at
Contributors
Brian Kepner (author), California State University Sacramento.
James Biardi (editor), California State University Sacramento.
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
