African palm civet
ExploreMammals
African palm civet
Nandinia binotata
The African palm civet is a small, furry animal that loves to climb trees. It has a long body and a bushy tail, and it often sleeps in the branches during the day.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The African palm civet has a stocky body with short legs and a long tail, often as long as its body. Its fur is yellowish-brown to grey, marked with dark spots and two distinct black spots on its shoulders. It also features a dark mask around its eyes and ears.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyNandiniidaeGenusNandinia
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Baby civets are born with their eyes already open.
Their ankles can rotate almost 180 degrees!
They spend most of their lives high up in trees.
They use their long tails to balance while climbing.
Special abilities
Ability
Tree Acrobat
African palm civet can climb trees with amazing agility thanks to semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles, helping them find food and escape predators.
Ability
Night Vision
African palm civet has large, forward-facing eyes that gather light efficiently, helping them hunt and navigate in the dark of night.
Ability
Scent Communicator
African palm civet can use special scent glands to mark territory and communicate with other civets, leaving messages for them to discover.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 37-61 cm
- Weight
- 1.2-3 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-4
- Gestation
- 64-77 days
Diet & Feeding
An omnivore that enjoys fruits, insects, and small animals.
Primary Foods
- figs
- mangoes
- insects
- small rodents
- chameleons
- birds' eggs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Cape Fig
Ficus sur
Consumes ripe fruit, aiding in seed dispersal.
hunts
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
Preys on rodents found in trees and on the ground.
eaten by
African Rock Python
Python sebae
Can be prey for large constrictor snakes.
shelters
African Tulip Tree
Spathodea campanulata
Uses the canopy for resting and hiding.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see a wild animal, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is African palm civet?
37-61 cm
How much does African palm civet weigh?
1.2-3 kg
How long does African palm civet live?
10-15 years
How fast can African palm civet move?
25 km/h
What does African palm civet eat?
An omnivore that enjoys fruits, insects, and small animals.
Where is African palm civet usually found?
Forests
How does African palm civet hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does African palm civet usually have?
1-4
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
