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== Distribution and habitat ==
== Distribution and habitat ==
Small Indian civets are known to occur in [[South China|south]] and [[central China]], [[Hong Kong]], most of [[India]], [[Lao PDR]], [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], [[Viet Nam]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. No search has been made for recent records from [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Java (island)|Java]] or [[Bali]], areas where they were historically recorded. Their current status in [[Singapore]] is unclear.<ref name=iucn/>
Small Indian civets are known to occur in [[South China|south]] and [[central China]], [[Hong Kong]], most of [[India]], [[Lao PDR]], [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], [[Viet Nam]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. No search has been made for recent records from [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Java (island)|Java]] or [[Bali]], areas where they were historically recorded. Their current status in [[Singapore]] is unclear.<ref name=iucn/>

Small Indian civets have been recorded in semi-[[Evergreen forest|evergreen]] and [[deciduous forest]], mixed deciduous forest, [[bamboo]] forest, scrubby areas, grasslands and riverine habitat.<ref name=Duckworth1997>Duckworth, J. W. (1997). ''Small carnivores in Laos: a status review with notes on ecology, behaviour and conservation''. [http://www.smallcarnivoreconservation.org/sccwiki/images/2/23/Number_16_%28Apr_1997%29.PDF Small Carnivore Conservation 16]: 1–21.</ref><ref name= Mudappa2002>Mudappa, D. (2002). ''Observations of small carnivores in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India''. [http://www.smallcarnivoreconservation.org/sccwiki/images/8/8b/SCC_27.pdf Small Carnivore Conservation 27]: 4–5.</ref><ref name=SuSu05/>


== Ecology and behavior ==
== Ecology and behavior ==

Revision as of 13:48, 10 March 2013

Small Indian civet
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Subfamily:
Genus:
Viverricula

Hodgson, 1838
Species:
V. indica
Binomial name
Viverricula indica
Desmarest, 1804
Small Indian civet range
(green - extant,
pink - probably extant)

The small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) is a civet found in South and Southeast Asia. It is listed as Least Concern by IUCN because of its widespread geographical distribution, widespread habitat use and healthy populations living in agricultural and secondary landscapes of many range states.[1]

The small Indian civet is a monotypic genus.[2]

It is also called rasse. The Assamese name johamaal refers to its glandular odour similar to a scented rice variety called joha. The species has been introduced to Madagascar.

Characteristics

The small Indian civet is 21 to 23 in (53 to 58 cm) in head and body size and has a rather coarse fur that is brownish grey to pale yellowish brown, with usually several longitudinal black or brown bands on the back and longitudinal rows of spots on the sides. In some specimens both lines and spots are indistinct, and the dorsal bands are occasionally wanting. Usually there are five or six distinct bands on the back and four or five rows of spots on each side. The neck markings are rather variable. Generally there are two dark stripes from behind the ear to the shoulders, and often a third in front, crossing the throat. The underfur is brown or grey, often grey on the upper parts of the body and brown on the lower. The grey hairs on the upper parts are often tipped with black. The head is grey or brownish grey, the chin often brown. The ears are short and rounded with a dusky mark behind each ear, and one in front of each eye. The feet are brown or black. The tapering tail is 15 to 17 in (38 to 43 cm) long with alternating black and whitish rings, seven to nine of each colour.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Small Indian civets are known to occur in south and central China, Hong Kong, most of India, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. No search has been made for recent records from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Peninsular Malaysia, Java or Bali, areas where they were historically recorded. Their current status in Singapore is unclear.[1]

Small Indian civets have been recorded in semi-evergreen and deciduous forest, mixed deciduous forest, bamboo forest, scrubby areas, grasslands and riverine habitat.[3][4][5]

Ecology and behavior

Threats

People of Traspur village in Assam hunt it for meat and purify its skin into medicine.[citation needed]

Conservation

Viverricula indica is listed on CITES Appendix III.[1] In Myanmar, it is totally protected under the Wildlife Act of 1994.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Template:IUCN
  2. ^ a b Blanford, W. T. (1888–91). Genus Viverricula Hodgson. Pages 100–101 in: The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. Taylor and Francis, London.
  3. ^ Duckworth, J. W. (1997). Small carnivores in Laos: a status review with notes on ecology, behaviour and conservation. Small Carnivore Conservation 16: 1–21.
  4. ^ Mudappa, D. (2002). Observations of small carnivores in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Small Carnivore Conservation 27: 4–5.
  5. ^ a b Su Su. (2005). Small carnivores and their threats in Hlawga Wildlife Park, Myanmar. Small Carnivore Conservation 33: 6–13.

External links