Mammals ‹‹ Go Back

Though seldom seen this is one of the most common species found in forested as well as urban environments throughout the country from the highest hills to the lowlands. It is found throughout South and Southeast Asia.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as “Least Concerned” (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

This is a nocturnal mammal which usually spends its day curled up and sleeping in a concealed space on a large tree such as hole or on a Kithul Palm. It also thrives in urban environments where they will often take up residency on the ceilings of houses. While they provide a great service to humans by controlling the rodent population from the household, they occupy these mammals cause annoyance to the rightful occupants when they urinate as the pungent smelling liquid drips into the house. It is an omnivorous animal and feeds on fruits such as sour bananas, pineapples as well as hunts rats and mice. If permitted it will readily kill chickens or pigeons kept in houses. They are fond of the sap of kittul flowers collected by villages to make Jaggary, Treacle and Toddy. They are known to consume the liquid at night from the pots hung up these trees by villages and thus had acquired the name “Toddy Cat” in the past. They are known to breed throughout the year. One of these civets use a tree hole on a large “Mee Tree” growing in my garden at Wilpattu. In February the female had given birth to three pups that would peep out from the tree hole at dusk. The mother and pups often visit the night feeding station (to avoid attracting toque Monkeys) along with the Small Indian Civets to feed on the left-over rice which is put out for the animals.

Due to their nocturnal wanderings these animals often get run over by vehicles along express ways and highways.

This is a common species in and around the park but is seldom seen or photographed as it is only active at night.