In the animal world, the Viverridae family includes small predators with prominent spotted or patterned fur. Near the base of the tail of civet species there are scent glands, secreting substances with a characteristic odor.

Paguma larvata, 51-78 cm long, is a native civet of mainland Southeast Asia. The agile civet lives alone in this tree and eats fruit, insects and small vertebrates. Photo: iNaturalist.

Civet civet (Arctictis binturong) is 61-97 cm long, distributed in Southeast Asia. This species has a grasping tail that helps it move cautiously through the forest canopy in search of fruit and small animals. Photo: Parc Animalier des Pyrenees.

The spotted palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is 42-70 cm long, with a natural distribution ranging from Pakistan to Indonesia. This fruit-loving civet is considered a pest in palm and banana plantations. Photo: Wikipedia.

African palm civet (Civettictis civetta) is 67-84 cm long, widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. This large omnivore lives on the ground. They live alone and mark their territory with a very strong scent. Photo: Biolib.cz.

The palm civet (Viverricula indica) is 49-68 cm long, residing in grassland forests and bamboo thickets from Pakistan to China and Southeast Asia. Males have a musk gland located between the two testicles, emitting a scent that attracts females during the breeding season. Photo: ZooChat.

The South African foul-spotted civet (Genetta tigrina) is 43-58 cm long, distributed in eastern South Africa and Lesotho. This species mainly feeds on small invertebrates, but can also take prey as large as geese. Photo: Wikipedia.

The foul-spotted civet (Genetta genetta) is 46-52 cm long, distributed in forests and bushes in Africa and Southern Europe. A formidable predator, this common civet feeds on small mammals and birds. Photo: Pixabay.

The Oriental palm civet (Viverra tangalunga) is 54-77 cm long and lives in tropical forests in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. This nocturnal animal mainly hunts prey on the ground. Photo: Thai National Parks.

The striped palm civet (Prionodon linsang) is 33-45 cm long and lives in the dense forests of Southeast Asia. Also known as the tiger civet, this shy animal takes refuge in tree hollows. They hunt mice, squirrels, lizards and birds. Photo: Den Store Danske.