Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

The Palm Civet, also called Asian or Common Palm Civet to distinguish from Owston's and the Masked, is native to South and Southeast Asia. Although it has a dark mask, the Masked Palm Civet is a different species and genus. They are named after their tendency to drink palm sap, but they are omnivores eating mainly insects and fruit.

Palm Civets are mainly nocturnal and partly arboreal. They have reversible ankle joints to assist in climbing up and down trees.

There are many subspecies across their range. Face markings vary and some have spotted coats . . .

. . . and many have three dark lines along the back. The highly trafficked animal plays a vital role in seed dispersal and restoration of degraded habitat.

Eating berries and fruit allows the seeds to pass through their system for propagation in the forest. This has also led to Palm Civets being held in captivity and fed coffee cherries; the part fermented coffee beans are then collected from their faeces to make a trendy, low-caffeine, different-tasting coffee.