The Civet is a very timid creature which is closely related
to mongooses and genets. It is almost doglike, as it has
a long body and bushy tail. When it is threatened its mane
rises; the civet then turns sideways and exposes the crest
to its fullest extent.
Civets are solitary, nocturnal animals which are primarily
active for a few hours after sunset. They can sometimes
be spotted in a family group of an adult and two or three
youngsters.
The civet's diet consists of grasshoppers, beetles, wild
fruit, rats, snakes, millipedes and carrion. They capture
their larger prey with a series of bites, shakes and throws
and sometimes have to leap aside to avoid being bitten in
return.
