Civet

Civet (gandhogokul) small to medium-sized carnivorous mammals, of the genus Viverra, belonging to the family Viverridae, order Carnivora. They are solitary and nocturnal carnivores, found in forested areas of Africa and southern Asia. They have longer jaws and more teeth than cats. The ground colour of civets is buffish-gray variously spotted and striped with black, with an erectile ridge of dark hair along the back.

Civet, Viverra zibetha

The perineal glands open under the tail into a large pouch in which a greasy, musk-like secretion accumulates. This secretion is used for marking out the territory and is deposited on tree trunks, stones and other objects; it may also serve to bring the sexes together at the breeding season.

Extracts from this gland are taken from the African Civet, the civet valued in commerce, kept in captivity, and used in perfumery. Civets and its relatives such as genets, mongooses, linsangs and fossas amount to some 66 species. Bangladesh has 5 species of civets of which 3 are threatened.

Table Civets of Bangladesh.

Scientific name	English name	Local name	Local status
Arctogalidia trivirgata	Small-toothed Civet/ Small-toothed Palm Civet/ Three-striped Palm Civet	---	DD
Paguma larvata	Masked Civet/ Himalayan Palm Civet/ Masked Palm Civet	---	DD
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus	Common Palm Civet	Gandho Gokul/ Nongar	VU
Viverra zibetha	Large Indian Civet	Bagdash	EN
Viverricula indica	Small Indian Civet	Khatash/Gandho Gokul	VU

[Md. Anwarul Islam]