Civets

Binturong

Scientific Name 

Arctictis binturong

Status 

Vulnerable

Size 

Body length:  71 - 84 cm 

Tail Length:   66 - 69 cm

Weight:  10 - 14 Kg

Diet 

Omnivorous.

Fruits, berries small mammals, birds, lizards and insects.

Appearance 

It has a thick coat of coarse black and greyish hair, with a bushy, prehensile tail.

Habitat

Because they are arboreal, they are found in primary forest and rain forests.

Distribution 

Found in protected primary forest throughout Thailand.

 

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Khao Yai National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Binturong are primarily nocturnal, but may be seen at any time of day when feeding in a tree. They will often rest in the tree and occasionally wakeup and continue feeding or move to another tree for resting, returning occasionally to feed.

Where To See
Khao Yai National Park

Although primarily nocturnal, sightings at night are uncommon.During the day, they are sometimes seen feeding on fruit in trees.

On trees that have an abundance of fruit, it is common for Binturong to return to the tree throughout the day, to feed. They will also typically return to the same tree every day, until the fruit has gone.

We have observed Binturong all  over Khao Yai.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Although primarily nocturnal, sightings at night are uncommon. Sightings during the day are also rare, We were lucky enough to spot one resting at the top of a tree, opposite Phanoen Thung Campsite.

Warning
  • Binturongs are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

Ignoring advice can result in the Civet becoming unnecessarily distressed.

 

Common Palm Civet

Scientific Name 

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

Status 

Least Concern

Size 

Body length:  50 - 55 cm

Tail Length:   45 - 50 cm

Weight:  2 - 5 Kg

Diet 

Omnivorous.

Fruits, berries, insects, lizards and small mammals.

Appearance 

 The body is covered with coarse, shaggy greyish hair. It has a white mask on it's forehead, a white patch under each eye, a white spot either side of the nose, and a dark line between the eyes. The muzzle, ears, lower legs and half of the tail are black.

Habitat

Forested areas.

Distribution 

Found throughout Thailand in protected primary forest.

 

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Khao Yai National Park

Ta Phraya National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Common Palm Civets are nocturnal, it is unusual to see them in the daytime. When resting, they will either climb a tree or use a suitable hollow on the ground.

They are often seen after dark foraging on the side of the road or around buildings or structures.

Where To See
Khao Yai National Park

A regular visitor to camp sites and park accommodation, where they can be seen foraging for food. Often for discarded food from guests.

They are often seen along the side of the road during the night safari tours.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

A regular visitor to the camp sites, where they can be seen foraging for food. Often for discarded food from guests.

At Ban Krang campsite, they can also be seen in the trees after dark.

Ta Phraya National Park

There are resident Civets around the ranger station and guest accommodation. In fact during our last visit, we had a common Palm Civet living in one of the rooms, where there was a hole in the roof.

Warning
  • Common Palm Civets are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

Ignoring advice can result in the Civet becoming unnecessarily distressed.

 

Large Indian Civet

Scientific Name 

Viverra zibetha

Status 

Least Concern

Size 

Body length:  50 - 195 cm

Tail Length:  38 - 59 cm

Weight:  4 - 10 Kg.

Diet 

Omnivorous.

small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish, eggs, fruits, and roots.

Appearance 

The largest Civet in Asia. Its colour is greyish brown, with black spots or broken black lines on its body. The neck is white with black bands.

Habitat

Densely forested protected areas.

Distribution 

Found throughout Thailand.

 

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Large Indian Civets are primarily nocturnal, they are rarely seen in the daytime.

Where To See
Kaeng Krachan National Park

Large Indian Civets are seen at both Ban Krang and Phanoen Thung Campsites, after dark. They will forage for discarded food at the rear of the restaurants.

Warning
  • Large Indian Civets are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

Ignoring advice can result in the Civet becoming unnecessarily distressed.

 

Masked Palm Civet

Scientific Name 

Paguma larvata

Status 

Least Concern

Size 

Body length:  50 - 60 cm

Tail Length:  40 - 50 cm

Weight:  3 - 5 Kg

Diet 

Omnivorous.

Fruit, small mammals, birds, small reptiles and insects.

Appearance 

Body is covered in greyish fur, the head is white with black patches either side of the muzzle to above the eye and extending in line with the ears.

Habitat

Inhabits evergreen and deciduous forests.

Distribution. 

Throughout Thailand.

 

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Masked Palm Civets are primarily nocturnal, but may be seen at any time of day, especially in the evening.

Where To See
Kaeng Krachan National Park

Regular visitor to Ban Krang and Phanoen Thung Campsites after dark, where they are seen wandering around the campsite looking for food.

Warning
  • Masked Palm Civets are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

Ignoring advice can result in the Civet becoming unnecessarily distressed.

 

Small Indian Civet

Scientific Name 

Viverricula indica

Status 

Least Concern

Size 

Body length:  53 - 58 cm

Tail Length:  38 - 43 cm

Weight:  2 - 4 Kg

Diet 

Omnivorous.

Fruit, roots, small mammals, Birds, small reptiles, insects and carrion.

Appearance. 

Yellowish brown to greyish brown coarse fur, with several black stripes along the back and remainder of body covered in black spots.

Habitat

Deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, scrubland, grasslands and riverine areas.

Distribution. 

Throughout Thailand.

 

Khao Yai National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Small Indian Civet are nocturnal, but may be seen in the early evening. Although they can climb trees, they are typically terrestrial.

Where To See
Khao Yai National Park

Often seen along the side of the road during night safari tours, in the campsites and around park accommodation.

Warning
  • Small Indian Civets are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

 

Small-toothed Palm Civet

Scientific Name 

Arctogalidia trivirgata

Status 

Least Concern

Size 

Body length:  44 - 60 cm

Tail Length:  48 - 66 cm

Weight:  2 - 2.5 Kg

Diet 

Omnivorous.

fruits, small mammals, birds, frogs, lizards, insects and carrion.

Appearance 

Yellowish light brown, with greyish head.

Habitat

Dense primary and secondary forest.

Distribution. 

Found throughout Thailand.

 

Khao Yai National Park

Although sightings of these cats have been reported, they are rarely seen due to their habitat and behaviour. Nearly all sightings today are with camera traps.

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Useful Information

Small-toothed Civets are nocturnal and can be seen in smaller fruit trees, either alone or in small groups.

Where To See
Khao Yai National Park

Although nocturnal, sightings at night are uncommon, occasionally they might be seen in smaller fruit trees. The best option for seeing the Small- toothed Civet, is the night safari tour, or looking in smaller trees around your accommodation or campsite.

Warning
  • Small-toothed Civets are wild animals.
  • Do not approach or attempt to interact in any way.

Although they may appear oblivious to you, they are very aware you are there. It is not an invitation to get close.

Keep your distance, do not in any way attempt to block or restrict access to a Civet that is in your immediate vicinity. Always give the Civet plenty of space to escape.

  • Do not shine bright lights directly at the Civet, you will cause unnecessary distress and temporarily reduce their ability to see.
  • Do not attempt to feed Civets.

Please have respect, DO NOT FEED!

  • Always pay attention to warnings, advice and instructions given by rangers or tour guides.

 

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