- Civets are found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia
- The term civet applies to over a dozen different mammal species
- The best-known civet species is the African civet
- Civets have a broadly cat-like general appearance
- They range in length from about 43 to 71 cm (17 to 28 in) (excluding their long tails) and in weight from about 1.4 to 4.5 kg (3 to 10 lbs)
- Civets have non-retractable claws
- They are nocturnal by nature and like to stay in trees and high places.
- Civets live in tree hollows, among rocks, and in similar places, coming out to forage at night
- Civets feed on small animals and on vegetable matter, they also like fruits such as mangoes and bananas
- The civet produces a musk highly valued as a fragrance and stabilizing agent for perfume
- Palm civets easily venture into new environments, often suburban and urban areas, leading them to cross paths with humans
