How to Identify Viverridae

Viverridae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Carnivora, class Mammalia. The family contains 14 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Viverridae Species

How to identify Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1776)

Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1776)

Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1776)

Genetta tigrina, the Cape genet, is a small nocturnal solitary omnivorous carniv…

How to identify Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776)

Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776)

Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776)

Civettictis civetta, the African civet, is the largest African viverrid with dis…

How to identify Paguma larvata (C.E.H.Smith, 1827)

Paguma larvata (C.E.H.Smith, 1827)

Paguma larvata (C.E.H.Smith, 1827)

Paguma larvata, the masked palm civet, is a small predatory mammal with a charac…

How to identify Genetta maculata (Gray, 1830)

Genetta maculata (Gray, 1830)

Genetta maculata (Gray, 1830)

Genetta maculata, the rusty-spotted genet, is a small spotted carnivoran with an…

How to identify Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777)

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777)

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777)

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, the Asian palm civet, is a solitary nocturnal viverr…

How to identify Genetta genetta felina (Thunberg, 1811)

Genetta genetta felina (Thunberg, 1811)

Genetta genetta felina (Thunberg, 1811)

The common genet is a small cat-like carnivore with specific physical traits, di…

How to identify Viverra tangalunga Gray, 1832

Viverra tangalunga Gray, 1832

Viverra tangalunga Gray, 1832

Viverra tangalunga, the Malay civet, is a solitary omnivorous terrestrial civet …

How to identify Viverricula indica (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803)

Viverricula indica (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803)

Viverricula indica (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803)

Viverricula indica, the small Indian civet, is a small carnivoran native to Sout…

How to identify Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genetta genetta, the common genet, is a small cat-like carnivore native to Afric…

How to identify Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821)

Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821)

Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821)

Arctictis binturong (binturong) is a carnivoran native to South and Southeast As…

How to identify Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832)

Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832)

Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832)

The small-toothed palm civet is a viverrid native to dense forests in Southeast …

How to identify Hemigalus derbyanus (Gray, 1837)

Hemigalus derbyanus (Gray, 1837)

Hemigalus derbyanus (Gray, 1837)

Hemigalus derbyanus, the banded palm civet, is a small, solitary nocturnal civet…

Browse all 14 Viverridae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Viverridae?

Viverridae animals belong to the Carnivora order in the Animalia kingdom. Its muzzle is white, with distinct white spots below each eye; its ears are grey, and its tail has alternating black and white bands ending in a black tip. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Viverridae?

Viverridae is classified in the order Carnivora, class Mammalia, phylum Chordata. Its distinct stripes, spots, and blotches are deep brown to black.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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