The African Civet: A Unique and Mysterious Animal
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It is widely believed that the African civet is native to woodlands and secondary forests in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Since 2008, it has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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Although the African civet is primarily nocturnal, it spends the day sleeping in dense vegetation and wakes up at sunset.
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This mammal is unique because it is colored solitarily.
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The raccoon's black bands around its eyes closely resemble its own.
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An omnivorous generalist, it preys on small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter.
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They are rare carnivores capable of feeding on poisonous invertebrates such as termites and centipedes.
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Rather than by sight, it detects prey primarily by smell and sound. The only member of the genus Civettictis is it.
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Civets deposit their feces in large piles called latrines, or specifically "civetries".
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African civets typically live alone. Their perineal gland secretion is used to mark their territories around their civetries.
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African civets in Southern Africa probably mate from October to November, and females give birth
in the rainy season between January and February.
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The average lifespan of a civet in captivity is 15 to 20 years.
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