African palm civet
Nandinia binotata
Key identification features
A small, cat sized, carnivore with a long body and a very long tail. It has a greyish or reddish brown colour with small brown to black spots on its underside. The spots, which are often only visible at close range, are arranged in rows along its body. It also has two cream coloured spots on the shoulder. HB 44-60 cm. Wt 2.3-3.2 kg.
Habitat and social behaviour
It occurs in forest or partly cultivated areas and is predominantly arboreal (lives in trees). Solitary and nocturnal.
Similar species
It is similar in size to the genets, but lacks the black and white tail rings and has a much shorter muzzle, much rounder and shorter ears and more curly fur.
Distribution Map
Photo gallery
See also
Common genet · Large spotted genet (Blotched or Rusty-spotted) · Servaline genet · Miombo genet (Angolan genet)