Nandinia binotata

(Gray, 1830)

African Palm Civet

Figure 1. FMNH 25305. Photograph by R. Banasiak.

Figure 2. FMNH 151366. Photograph by P. Lai.

Type Description:

Gray, J. E. 1828-1830 [-1924]. Spilcilegia zoological; or original figures and short systematic descriptions of new and unfigured animals. London, 1:1-8[1828]; 2:9-12[1830]; 3:1-13[1924].

Type Locality:

'Africa, Ashantee' [Ghana; Ashanti Region; aproximately at 6°55'N 0°32'E].

Measurements:

Total length: 762-1011 mm

Head and body: 450-580 mm

Tail length: 500-620 mm

Hindfoot length: 70-89 mm

Ear length: 35-40 mm

Weight: 1.7-2.1 kg

Distribution:

A common species found in rainforests and cultivation mosaics that follow partial or extensive clearance of the forest throughout most areas of East Africa, Nandinia binotata is distributed throughout tropical Africa from Sierra Leone along the coast to northern Angola and over to western Uganda and Tanzania and southern Kenya and with a scattered distribution area along the montane areas from the EAM range down into Zimbabwe. (Kingdon, 1989, 1997)

Key Reference:

1. Kingdon, J. 1989. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Carnivores). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 3A:168-175.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 275.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:748-749, 756-757.