Nandinia binotata
SUBFAMILY
Nandiniinae
TAXONOMY
Viverra binotata (Gray, 1830), Africa, Ashantee (Ghana).
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Nandinie d'Afrique; German: Pardel-Roller.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length 18–23 in (44–58 cm), tail 19–25 in (46–62 cm), weight 4–11 lb (2–5 kg). The hair is long and very thick, varying in color from yellowish gray-brown to brown. The upper side of the body is darker. The nape of the neck has three dark longitudinal stripes, and there are numerous dark spots on the upper body side. The shoulder has a white blotch. The upper side of the tail is banded. The feet are very short and have naked soles.
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical Africa from Senegal and Angola to southern Sudan and eastern Africa, and south to Zimbabwe.
HABITAT
Tropical forests.
BEHAVIOR
Arboreal and nocturnal. Density of 13 per mi2 (5 per km2). Territories marked with scent. African palm civets use their forefeet much more skillfully than other viverrids; they approach the fine movements and dexterity of raccoons (Procyonidae).
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mostly fruits, but also rodents, birds eggs, insects. Animal prey is recognized chiefly by its movement.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Probably polygynous. Births peak in May and October, gestation is 64 days, litter size usually two, but may reach four.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Occasionally tamed and kept as pets.
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