Gester Patalinghug Evolutionary biology

Bs Biology 4th yr Aug. 17, 2017

Asian palm civet

Scientific name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

Physical Description

Asian palm civets are frequently called weasel cats due to their similar appearance to

both animals. Asian palm civets are small, weighing only about three kilograms with an average

body length of 50 centimeters, and a tail that is 48 centimeters long. They have elongated bodies

with short legs, and a tail that is almost as long as their head and body combined. Their nose is

pointed and protrudes from their small face. They have faces mostly like cats, but palm civets

have longer and flatter skulls. Relative to their head, palm civets have large dark eyes and large

pointed ears. The coat of Asian palm civets are short, coarse, and are usually black or gray with

black-tipped guard hairs all over. Like racoons, palm civets faces are banded and have a white

patch of fur below and above the eyes and on each side of the nose. They can be recognized by

the dark stripes down their back and the three rows of black spots freckled on each side of their
body and covering their legs. However, these markings are less prominent in juveniles. Unlike

other civets, Asian palm civets tails do not have black rings. Rather, they are just tipped black on

the very end. Another distinguishing factor that their neck hair grows backwards, whereas other

members of the civet family have forward growing neck hair. Palm civets have more specialized

teeth for an omnivorous diet than other civets that mostly eat meat. Asian palm civets have teeth

that are weaker and pointed, and the carnassial, that are apt for slicing meat, are less developed.

Having plantigrade feet, Asian palm civets walk like bears and raccoons, with their entire sole on

the ground. They have naked soles, their claws are semi-retractile, and their third and fourth toes

are partly fused. All these features make them excellent climbers and help them as they hunt.

Finally, both males and females of this species have a perineal scent gland under their tail,

resembling testicles; the feature that gave them their scientific name. This gland is located within

a double-pocket pouch under the skin of the abdomen, and is used to spray in defense, to mark

territory, and for communication with others of the species.

The Asian palm civet is a carnivorous animal, and like other species of civet, it survives

on a meat-based diet, supplemented by the odd plant or fruit. Small animals such as

rodents, lizards, snakes and frogs make up the majority of the Asian palm civet's diet, along

with insects and other small creatures scuttling through the under-growth. Asian palm civets are

also known to eat the fruits and flowers of palms, mangos and coffee in their natural habitats.

Geographic Range

Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) are native to regions within and around

Asia, ranging as far east as the Philippines and as far west as Kashmir. They are widespread but

are mostly found in southern China, northern Himalayas, southern India, and islands in the
Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Philippine Sea. Populations of the Asian palm civet are

seen in Sumatra, Bhutan, Java, Borneo, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia,

Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Singapore, and the Sundas Islands. (Duckworth, et al., 2011; Grzimek, et

al., 2004)

Habitat

Asian palm civets can live in a variety of habitats. They naturally live in temperate and

tropical forests, but in developed areas they are also found in parks, suburban gardens,

plantations, and fruit orchards. Where these civets choose to live depends mostly on the

availability of food and presence of areas they can rest in, like tree hollows, rock crevices, or

dense foliage. Asian palm civets are arboreal so they spend most of their time in fruit trees and

fig trees, preferring the tallest trees with very dense canopies and vines for seclusion and

protection. Their elevation range extends up to about 2,000 feet. (Duckworth, et al., 2011;

Grzimek, et al., 2004; Nowak, 1999)

Habitat Regions: tropical, terrestrial

Terrestrial: Biomes, forest rainforest

Other Habitat Features: urban, suburban, agricultural

Reproduction

Asian palm civets are nocturnal and secretive so their reproductive behavior has mostly

been observed in a zoo setting and their mating system is unknown. It is known that they are

viviparous and typically gives birth in tree hollows. Despite being generally solitary, Asian palm

civets come together in the same resting trees to continuously mate for a period of one to fifteen

days. (Duckworth, et al., 2011; Nowak, 1999)

Asian palm civets find mates using scent markings from their anal glands, indicating each

civets age, sex, receptivity, kin relationship, and if they are familiar. Asian palm civets are

sexually receptive all year with an average estrous cycle of about 82 days. They typically have

up to two litters per year with kittens being born from October to December. They go into resting

trees to mate, give birth, and take care of young, spending the whole mating period in their tree

of choice. Couples tend to choose trees for this period in close proximity to other members of

their group. After a gestation period of two months, Asian palm civets give birth to two to five

kittens in tree hollows or boulder crevices for secrecy and protection. Kittens are born with their

eyes closed and fur covering their bodies. Palm civet babies are very small, weighing only about

80 grams at birth. At 11 days, their eyes open and by two months old are weaned. After about

three months, these civets are considered full grown, but they are not sexually mature until they

are about one year old. (Grzimek, et al., 2004; Nowak, 1999).
Breeding interval Breeding season Range number of

Asian palm civets reed year round. Mating occurs year round in offspring

Asian palm civets. 2 to 5

Average number of offspring Average number of offspring Average gestation

3 3 to 4 period

60 days

Average gestation period Average weaning age Average time to

60 days 2 months independence

3 months

Range at sexual or reproductive Range age at sexual or

maturity (female) reproductive maturity (male)

11 to 12 months 9 to 11 months

Lifespan/Longevity

Asian palm civets typically live anywhere from 15 to 20 years. They live longer in captivity,

living for as long as 24 years and 5 months. (Duckworth, et al., 2011).

Range lifespan Average lifespan Range lifespan

Status: Wild Status: Wild Status: Captivity

15 to 22 years 20 years 15 to 24.5 years

Average lifespan Typical lifespan Typical lifespan

Status: Captivity Status: Wild Status: Captivity

22.4 years 15 to 20 yeaars 15 to 25 years

Behavior

Asian palm civets are known for are being nocturnal, arboreal, and mostly solitary.

Predation and availability of food are the main factors that determine the social organization and

activity of Asian palm civets. They are only active during the night, resting in trees during the

day. It has been noted that civets are active from dusk to dawn, being more active on darker

nights than those illuminated by a bright moon. They tend to be more active at the start of dusk,

mostly searching for food, then finding a rest site as dawn approaches. During the day, when

palm civets rest, they curl up in the tree holes, inside rock crevices, or among vines. When food

supplies are steady in their region, palm civets typically rest in the same tree every day. It is

thought that Asian palm civets developed their nocturnal behavior as a way to avoid predators

that are active during the day.

Conservation Status

Asian palm civets are not considered to be in danger of extinction, but in their native

areas laws protect them, like Malaysia and Sichuan, China. They are also protected under the

Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and they are listed as vulnerable under China's red list for

excessive hunting. According to the IUCN, Asian palm civets are of little concern because they

have a wide distribution, large populations, are highly adaptable, and have a stable population

trend. Even though palm civets are not currently in danger, their habitats are getting increasingly

smaller due to over-logging and clearing of land for palm oil plantations. Some governments

have started monitoring the rate of logging and requiring developers to get permits or licenses to

do so. There also has been an effort to replant some of the lost forests. (Duckworth, et al., 2011)
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

One of the earliest uses that humans have used Asian palm civets for was their sweet-

smelling musk. In the past it was used to treat such things as scabies, but today it is only used for

perfume. To get civet oil, the scent gland must be scraped out with a special tool, which is a

difficult task and if not done properly is painful for the civet. The musk can also be produced

when the civet is harassed. Often, this industry is supported by trappers that go into the wild and

capture wild civets to obtain their oil. People also use civets as rodent catchers, since they eat

rats and mice. (Duckworth, et al., 2011; Nowak, 1999)

Asian palm civets are best known for aiding in the production of an expensive coffee,

Kopi luwak, by passing coffee cherries through their digestive tract. As the cherries go through

palm civets digestive tracts, they get a unique gamy flavor and people extract these pits from

the civet feces. This coffee is in high demand because of civets tendencies to only pick the ripest

coffee cherries. Kopi luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world, selling for over one

hundred dollars a pound. (Duckworth, et al., 2011; Nowak, 1999)

Communication and Perception

Civets are typically silent, but can make a noise that sounds similar to meows. They also

snarl, hiss, and spit when they are alarmed or harassed. Instead of using vocalizations, the Asian

palm civets use their scent gland as their primary means of communication. They mark their

ranges by dragging their anal glands on the ground.

2 major questions regarding to their evolution and population

Will the population eventually become extinct?

As of now, their population is still abundant to some places but as years pass by this

Asian palm civet will become extinct if this will not be conserve well, because the Asian

palm civet is under threat from deforestation and therefore drastic loss of much of its

natural habitat. The main reason for such extensive deforestation in the area is either for

logging or to clear the land to make way for palm oil plantation and other natural resources.

Can they still evolve?

According to my resources, Asian palm civets are classified as atrial, meaning the young

need care from their parents after birth. Little is known about parental investment in Asian

palm civets since the young do not leave the tree hollows that they are born in until after they

are weaned. However, it is thought that females are responsible for care of the young,

providing milk for nourishment from their mammary glands, as well as being in charge of

weaning them. (Duckworth, et al., 2011) They produce 3 to 4 offspring, they still can evolve

due to their abundancy in their species and they are scattered all over Asian countries that

have different environments.

References:

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Paradoxurus_hermaphroditus/

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/asian-palm-civet/

http://animalsadda.com/asian-palm-civet/

http://animals.mom.me/type-animal-asian-palm-civet-2675.html

http://www.most-expensive.coffee/palm-civet-cats-luwaks/