Paguma larvata (Himalayan palm civet)

Paguma larvata – Himalayan palm civet (click to enlarge)

Common name	Himalayan palm civet.
Latin name	Paguma larvata C.E.H.SMITH,1827.
Local name	Bichul /Bijju( Garhwali )
IUCN/WPA/Indian status	Least concern/II/ Locally common
Social unit	Solitary
Size / weight	HBL: 41-76 cm. TL : 50-63 cm. WT : 3.6-5 kg.
Description	The Himalayan Palm civet is a dark brown to black large hill civet with greyish buff under parts. It has a thick black un patterned tai and a black chin and throat. The latter characteristic distinguishes it from the yellow throated martin with which it shares a distribution range. Adults do not have spots on their body though flank spots may be present in juvenile. The face has dark mask that is split by a greyish whit line down the fore head white splotches around the eye nose and markings from the ear to the cheek.
Behavior	Skunk-like it ejects a foul smelling liquid when disturbed.
Distribution	Himalayas from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh( up to 2500 m) north- eastern hills and the Andaman Islands.
Habitat	Evergreen and deciduous montane forests and near human habitation( up to 2500 m).
Best seen	Himalayan forests