Banded Palm Civet (Musang)

The banded palm civet, also known as the banded civet, is a captivating species native to the Sundaic region. These intriguing creatures can be found in Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, specifically on the islands of Sipora, Sumatra, and Borneo. Currently, they are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Despite their broad geographic range and some adaptability to habitat alterations, their population numbers remain a concern.

This civet species belongs to the genus Hemigalus, first described by Claude Jourdan in 1837.

So, what do these civets look like? They are approximately the size of a domestic cat, with a body length ranging from 41 to 51 cm and a weight between 1 and 3 kg. They have a long, pointed face resembling that of insectivorous mammals. Their bodies are elongated and supported by short legs, and they have five toes on each foot equipped with retractable claws.

In terms of appearance, the banded palm civet has short, dense fur that is predominantly dark cream or buff-colored, adorned with dark bands across its back and tail. They also feature distinct facial markings, such as dark stripes on the muzzle and around the eyes, along with white areas above and below each eye. While they bear some resemblance to Owston's palm civet and Hose's palm civet, they can be distinguished by their unique body markings and other physical characteristics.