Wednesday 12 July 2023

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - BORNEAN AND PHILIPPINE PALM CIVET (Paradoxurus philippinensis ssp. philippinensis)


Paradoxurus is a genus of three palm civets within the viverrid family that was denominated and first described by Frédéric Cuvier in 1822. The Paradoxurus species have a broad head, a narrow muzzle with a large rhinarium that is deeply sulcate in the middle. Their large ears are rounded at the tip. The tail is nearly as long as the head and body.

The three species are the Asian palm civet, the Golden palm civet, and the Brown palm civet. 


Comparison of morphological data indicate that the Asian palm civet comprises three major clades that should be recognized as separate species: namely one in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (as Paradoxurus hermaphroditus sensu stricto), one in Sumatra, Java and other small islands (Paradoxurus musanga), and the third in the Philippines and the Mentawai Islands (Paradoxurus philippensis). Genetic data, however, do not support species level distinction.


Philippine Palm Civet is a member of civet family which are carnivorous but also loves to eat fruits. This is the reason why they are living in forest with many fruit trees. Palm civets are also into coffee which made the famous and one of the expensive coffee beans - Kopi Luwak. Unfortunately, this made palm civet vulnerable in addition to forest degradation and hunting.


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