Banded palm civet

The banded palm civet is the only species in the monotypic genus Hemigalus, which was first named and described by Claude Jourdan in 1837.[6][7] The genus name is derived from the Greek hemi (half) and galus (weasel), due to their appearance.[5]

The species is believed to be closely related to Hose's palm civet, another species of civet in the subfamily Hemigalinae, also distributed in Southeast Asia, with a similar build and appearance.[8]

Hemigalus derbyanus boiei

The banded palm civet is roughly the size of domesticated cat, growing up to 53 centimetres (1.74 ft), minus the tail, and weighing from 1 to 3 kilograms (2.2 to 6.6 lb).[5] The tail is usually three-quarters the length of the body,[7] and may apparently swell in size when a threat is perceived. They also have sensitive hairs in between the pads of their paws for sensing prey.[10]

Their fur is usually pale in colour, with between seven and eight dark bands on the back.[10] The pale colour is typically pale brown, grey, whitish or buff, but can also be yellowish; the bands are usually dark brown, black, or chestnut in colour.[7][10][11] The banded palm civet can potentially be confused with Prionodon linsang, a related species with similar banding.[10]

One generation typically spans five years.[1] They have one or two litters a year.[5]

According to the 2015 IUCN Red List report, the banded palm civet is found in Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula, as well as the smaller islands of Siberut, Sipora, and South Pagai.[1] However, they are in decline and are not found throughout their range as listed in the Red List.[10]

The banded palm civet is primarily found in lowland coniferous forests. The species' survival is probably largely dependent on forest habitat; it is not known to live in non-forested environments.[8]

Banded palm civets have a notably different diet than other civet species. They are known to be strict carnivores, as opposed to other civets, which are usually omnivorous.[10] They are known to prey on a variety of small animals, including crustaceans, ants, spiders, worms, rats, frogs, small reptiles, and even birds. They can only occasionally be found feeding on vegetation such as fruits.[5][10] Banded palm civets are known to hunt around water or along the forest floor.[5]

In response to a predator or other threat, banded palm civets may swell their tails,[10] or hiss and spit at the animal.[5] Reginald Innes Pocock, writing in 1939, described the civet, when captured alive, as "very savage and growls like a cat."[7]

The species is nocturnal and spends daytime in low tree holes.[5][10] They are believed to be solitary creatures.[8]

Pocock believed that the civet's striking colouration must serve some special purpose, perhaps warning of what he described as a "nauseous protective secretion of the anal glands", which is known to exist in other related genera. He also noted that while a previous writer described the animal as without any smell, he found that the secretions of the enlarged anal glands of a female specimen produced a strong odour which "reminded [him] forcefully of that of the Stoat".[7]

An illustration of the banded palm civet from The Cambridge Natural History (1902)

The population of the species is currently decreasing.[1] The species is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, and under CITES' Appendix II.[5][1][12] The major threat to the banded palm civet is habitat loss and transformation, caused by deforestation, agriculture, and plantations; as well as water damming, hunting, and logging.[1][10][8] The species' preferred habitat– lowland coniferous forest – is particularly prone to such threats.[8]

A 2022 study estimated that the civet has been reduced to just 21% of the IUCN Red List distribution, with a steep decline in population. The same paper suggested that the IUCN Red List assessment should be re-evaluated.[10] The population is believed to have declined by 30% over just three generations.[13][14]

It is absent from Singapore, where it is believed to have been extirpated in the early 20th century.[10] A 2013 study concluded that roughly 24% of the species' estimated range was in protected areas,[8] but a later (2022) study estimated that value to be only 12%.[10]

The civets are hunted and eaten locally.[1] Some humans may take them from their natural habitat to keep them as pets.[15] It is also possible the species could act as a carrier or transmitter of zoonotic disease – human infectious diseases of animal origin.[10]

The species is widespread, and is known to persist even in disrupted habitat. However, reports indicate that sightings of the banded palm civet are significantly lower in forests affected by logging.[10][8]