By Barbara Lundrigan and Julie Harris
Geographic Range
The oriental civet, Viverra tangalunga, also known as the Malay civet, is found on the Malay peninsula, and on the islands of Sumatra, Bangka, Borneo, the Rhio Archipelago,and the Phillipines. It has been introduced to many other Southeast Asian islands. (Nowak 1983, Kitchener 1993)
Habitat
Oriental civets live in a wide variety of habitats like forest, brush, and grasslands. They stay in the dense cover by day and come into the open at night. They are mainly terrestrial, although they can climb trees easily if necessary. They have been found in disturbed areas of montane forests near villages.
(Nowak 1983, Kitchener 1993)
Terrestrial Biomes:
rainforest 
.
Physical Description
(11 to 24.2 lbs; avg. 17.6 lbs)
V. tangalunga measures 585 to 950 mm in head and body length; tail length is 300 to 482 mm. Coloration is composed of black spots on a background of tawny or grayish body color. There are usually three black and two white collars on the sides of the neck and throat. The fur is long and loose, and usually elongated along the spinal area forming a low crest or mane. This mane is marked by a black stripe running from the shoulders to the tail. The tail is also banded with black and white. The feet of the Oriental civet are all black. Viverra have five toes on each foot. On the third and fourth digit of the forefeet are lobes of skin which sheath and protect their retractile claws. The dental formula is I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 3-4/3-4 M 1-2/1-2. (Nowak 1983)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
A female Oriental civet may have one to four young per litter two times per year. The young are born in dense vegetation or in holes in the ground. Their eyes are closed at birth, but they do have hair. Weaning begins at approximately one month. Female viverrids have two or three pairs of abdominal mammae. Male viverrids have a baculum. The lifespan of the Oriental civet is probably around 5-15 years. (Nowak 1983)
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
V. tangalunga is mostly nocturnal and solitary. Males and females join up to mate. If a Malay civet is cornered it may fight, but otherwise seems to show little aggression. These civets are hunters and may obtain prey by stalking it or pouncing on it from a hiding place. Oriental civets produce a secretion from their anal scent glands known as civet. Civet may be secreted as a defensive measure, similar to that of the skunk (family Mustelidae). Civet may also be secreted and rubbed on various objects to communicate with conspecifics. (Nowak 1983)
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
Oriental civets are strong hunters. They will kill small mammals, birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. They will also eat eggs, fruit, and have been observed eating some roots. A similar Viverra species, Viverra zibetha has been found fishing in India. (Nowak 1983)
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Viverrids living near villages occasionally kill poultry.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Viverra tangalunga is one of the sources of Civet. Civet is used commercially in producing perfumes. Trade in live civets for their musk is a source of economy. It has also been used for some medicinal purposes. Some viverrids, including the Oriental civet, may be tamed and kept to extract this musk.
(Nowak 1983, Kitchener 1993)
Conservation Status
We have no text on this topic for this species. Look to the sidebar on the right for some limited information.
Contributors
Barbara Lundrigan (author), Michigan State University. Julie Harris (author), Michigan State University.
