
Photo: Aravinth · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Viverricula indica
Diet
Mainly small vertebrates, especially rodents; also fruit, carrion and insects
Litter size
2-5
Weight
2-4kg
The small Indian civet is brown, yellow or tawny orange, with black and white rings on the neck, small body spots that run together into six to eight dark stripes along the back, and a black-and-white banded tail. Adults weigh 2 to 4 kg, and males are larger than females (Animal Diversity Web).
It is generally solitary and nocturnal, mostly ground-living but a good climber, and rests in burrows or hollow logs. Prey is mainly small vertebrates, especially rodents, with fruit, carrion and insects taken opportunistically. Litters are two to five young (Animal Diversity Web). Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).