The Common Palm Civet, National Zoological Park, Delhi
Weighing from 4 to 11 pounds, the palm civet's head and body length is 17 to 28 inches (43.2-71
cm), with a tail length of 16 to 26 inches (40.6-66 cm). Its ears are small and faintly pointed, as
is its nose. It has a long and slender body with short legs. They have a coarse grayish to brown
coat with black-tipped guard hairs over all. Three rows of black spots run along each side of its
body. The hair around its eyes, cheeks and muzzle is black, with spots of white under each eye and
on each side of its nose. The ears, feet and last end of its tail are also black.
A nocturnal omnivore, the palm civet hunts alone. They are expert climbers and spend most of their
lives in trees. They eat small vertebrates, insects, ripe fruits and seeds. They are very fond of
palm sap, therefore their common name. The sap is used by natives to make a sweet liquor
called "toddy", which gives the palm civet its other common name. The palm civet is also fond of
coffee cherries. They eat the outer fruit and the coffee beans pass through their digestive tract.
An expensive coffee called kopi luwak is supposedly made from these coffee beans. Kopi luwak is
said to have a gamy flavor and sells for more than $100 per pound.
Info from here...
