palm civet

mammal

Also known as: toddy cat

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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kopi luwak Coffee beans in the feces of an Asian palm civet.

Palm civets are arboreal mammals belonging to the civet family, Viverridae. These long-bodied, short-legged carnivores are found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. They are catlike in appearance with a bushy tail, small ears, and a pointed snout.1

Palm civets, such as those in the Paradoxurus genus, are also known as toddy cats due to their fondness for palm juice. African palm civets belong to the genus Nandinia. Some species are characterized by black spots or stripes on a yellowish-gray or brownish-gray coat. While most civets are terrestrial, palm civets are primarily tree-dwelling. Some civet species are endangered.12

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civet
Except for the arboreal palm civets, such as Paradoxurus (also known as toddy cat because of its fondness for palm juice, or “toddy”) and Nandinia, civets are mainly terrestrial. The Sunda otter civet (Cynogale bennetti), the African civet (Civettictis civetta), and the rare Congo water civet (Genetta piscivora) are…
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Except for the arboreal palm civets, such as Paradoxurus (also known as toddy cat because of its fondness for palm juice, or “toddy”) and Nandinia, civets are mainly terrestrial. The Sunda otter civet (Cynogale bennetti), the African civet (Civettictis civetta), and the rare Congo water civet (Genetta piscivora) are…
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virus
Evolution of new virus strains
…to have occurred in the palm civet, since the SARS virus present in horseshoe bats is unable to infect humans directly.
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…to have occurred in the palm civet, since the SARS virus present in horseshoe bats is unable to infect humans directly.
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viverrid
Viverrid diversity
…in trees, as do several palm civets, such as the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) and the golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis). Many are good swimmers, and two species, the aquatic genet (Osbornictis piscivora) and the otter civet (Cynogale bennettii), are semiaquatic. Viverrids are mostly carnivorous, their diet consisting of…
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…in trees, as do several palm civets, such as the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) and the golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis). Many are good swimmers, and two species, the aquatic genet (Osbornictis piscivora) and the otter civet (Cynogale bennettii), are semiaquatic. Viverrids are mostly carnivorous, their diet consisting of…
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