In News:

Recently, a rare civet cat, typically native to the Seshachalam forests near Tirumala, was unexpectedly sighted near Tadepalli in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. The animal entered a residential area, startling locals, and was later safely rescued and examined by forest officials.

About Civet Cats

• Taxonomy:Civets belong to the Viverridae family, which includes civets, genets, oyans, and linsangs. There are 15–20 species across 10–12 genera.
• Distribution:Found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia, including eight wild species in India.
  • Common Palm Civet and Small Indian Civet are widely distributed.
  • The Malabar Large-spotted Civet (Viverracivettina) is critically endangered and endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Conservation Status:The Malabar Civet is listed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.

Physical Characteristics:

• Appearance: Cat-like, with thickly furred tail, pointed snout, and small ears.
• Size: Body length: 40–85 cm; Tail: 13–66 cm; Weight: 1.5–11 kg.
• Coloration: Usually buff or grayish, with black spots, stripes, or both.

Behavior and Habitat:

• Nocturnal and Solitary: Typically dwell in tree hollows, rocks, or similar secluded areas.
• Diet: Primarily frugivorous and insectivorous, occasionally feeding on small animals.
• Habitat Range: Though mostly forest-dwelling, rare sightings in urban zones have occurred, as seen in the Tadepalli incident.

Significance of Recent Sighting:

• The civet descended from Tadepalli hills and entered a home, prompting forest department intervention.
• Identified as a rare species similar to African civets.
• Medically examined, found healthy, and is to be rehabilitated into the wild.
• The incident highlights growing human-wildlife interactions and the need for urban wildlife awareness.