Head to head
African Palm Civet vs Civet
The African palm civet is a distinct, highly arboreal lineage sometimes classified outside the main civet family, which itself spans a much broader range of species and lifestyles.
| African Palm Civet | Civet | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nandinia binotata | Viverridae (family) |
| Taxonomic status | Possibly its own family, Nandiniidae | The civet family |
| Lifestyle | Almost entirely arboreal | Varies from ground-dwelling to arboreal |
| Ecological role | Important rainforest seed disperser | Varies by species |
| Native range | Sub-Saharan Africa | Africa and Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern (most species) |
| Population trend | Stable | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Forest, rainforest | Forest, rainforest, savanna |
African Palm Civet vs Civet: common questions
Is the African palm civet really a civet?
It is closely related and superficially similar, but this species is genetically distinct enough that some scientists classify it in its own family, Nandiniidae, separate from the broader civet family, Viverridae.
How does the African palm civet's lifestyle differ from other civets?
The African palm civet spends nearly its entire life in trees, while the broader civet family includes species ranging from the largely ground-dwelling African civet to more variably arboreal Asian species.
Why is the African palm civet ecologically important?
This species plays an important role dispersing the seeds of many rainforest trees, since fruit makes up a substantial part of its diet, an ecological contribution that varies considerably among the broader diversity of civet species.