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1. Profile (Picture)
2. Tidbits
3. Status and Trends (IUCN Status, Countries Where Currently Found, History of
Distribution, Threats and Reasons for Decline)
4. Data on Biology and Ecology (Weight, Habitat, Birth Season, Birth
Rate, Maximum Age, Diet, Behavior)
5. References
Picture: Otter Civet (21 Kb JPEG)
The otter civet weighs 3 - 5 kg (6.6 - 11 lb). It is found in and near streams, rivers and wetlands, eating fish, frogs, crustaceans, freshwater molluscs, and to a lesser extent, small mammals, birds and fruit.
The otter civet is found in Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo, and possibly Vietnam. Although widespread it is rare throughout most of its range. It is threatened by the loss of wetlands and other aquatic habitat to development, siltation from mines, persistent pesticides in the food chain, and other kinds of water pollution.
*** Little is known about either the ecology or conservation status of this amphibious civet (Heydon & Ghaffar 1997)
*** Although it is partly adapted for an aquatic life, its tail is short and lacks special muscular power, and the webbing between the toes is only slightly developed. Therefore it is probably a slow swimmer and cannot turn quickly in the water (Nowak & Paradiso 1983).
*** It can close its ears to exclude water and its nostrils open upward. It is said to lie in ambush in the water with only its eyes and nostrils exposed, much like a crocodile (Humphrey & Bain 1990)
*** It is apparent that this civet, like other civets, persists after selective logging (Heydon & Ghaffar 1997).
2004: Occurs in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam. May occur in Singapore (IUCN 2004).
At least since the 1960's, the otter civet's range has been thought to include Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo, and possibly Vietnam. Although widespread it has been rare throughout most of its range during this period.
Distribution Map (2 Kb GIF)
Threats to the otter civet include the loss of wetlands and other aquatic habitat to development, siltation from mines, persistent pesticides in the food chain, and other kinds of water pollution.
The otter civet weighs 3 - 5 kg (6.6 - 11 lb).
The otter civet is found in and near streams, rivers and wetlands.
The otter civet lives in both the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot (Cons. Intl. 2005) as well as the Mt. Kinabalu Montane & Alpine Scrub & Forest and the Peninsular Malaysian Lowland & Montane Forests Global 200 Ecoregions (Olson & Dinerstein 1998, Olson & Dinerstein 1999).
Young, still with the mother, have been noted in May in Borneo.
There are records of pregnant females with 2 and 3 embryos.
At least 5 years in captivity.
The otter civet eats fish, frogs, crustaceans, freshwater molluscs, and to a lesser extent, small mammals, birds and fruit.
The otter civet can climb well and does so when chased by dogs.
Burton & Pearson 1987, Cons. Intl. 2005, Heydon & Ghaffar 1997, Humphrey & Bain 1990, IUCN 1968, IUCN 1994, IUCN 1996, IUCN 2000, IUCN 2003a, IUCN 2004, Nowak & Paradiso 1983, Olson & Dinerstein 1998, Olson & Dinerstein 1999, Russian Web Site
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By: Paul Massicot; Last modified: March 3, 2006; © 1999 -
2006 Animal Info
