Small Indian Civet

A quick glance at these animals gives you the feeling that these are clever bastards. And indeed they are which is evident from their habits. It shelters in holes or under rocks or lies up in grass or under bushes. Many live near villages and some straggle into crowded towns finding refuge in drains and outhouses. Like other civets, its usual habit is to hunt at night because they have the eyes to do it. Though it climbs well and can scale a vertical trunk with ease, it seeks its food on the ground, preying on rats, squirrels, small birds, lizards, insects and grubs. Basically, they will eat anything which it can catch and kill. Also, given the opportunity, it preys on poultry. When it is tired of eating meat, it likes to eat fruits, roots and other vegetables as well. These civets are tawny gray or grayish brown animals, lined and streaked on back with cross bars on the neck which verifies their iconic civet look.