Civet

Afrikaans name: Sivet

Civet

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Civettictis civetta

The African Civet is an interesting mammal with a somewhat cat-like appearance. They are found in many parts of Africa including South Africa. In South Africa they are found in the north-eastern region of the country from northern KwaZulu-Natal through to the North West province.

They have a body length of around 75 cm and the long tail adds a further 40 cm. Their height to the shoulder is 40 cm. They are sturdy creatures that can weigh up to 20 kg. Females are smaller than males. They have wiry fur that varies in colour from a light grey to cream. They are heavily marked with black blotches, stripes and spots. The long hair along the spine can be raised into a crest.

These are nocturnal creatures that are rarely seen during the day. It is omnivorous feeding on a variety of food such as insects, small rodents, birds, carrion and fruit. They are records of them catching prey up to the size of a guineafowl. They inhabit woodland and other areas of dense vegetation.

During summer the female gives birth to between 2 and 4 young. This normally takes place in a burrow, dense vegetation or a rock crevice.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 208

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 95

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 58

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 142

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 328

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 64

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 321

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 64

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 84

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 27

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 73

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 15

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 52

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 246

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 146

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 139

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 118

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 299

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 118

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 418

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 27

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 75

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 192

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 40

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 146

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 37

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 73

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 102

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List of South African Mammals