Mammals Active at night

African Civet

Civettictis civetta

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The African Civet is a striking, nocturnal mammal known for its bold black-and-white patterns and mysterious nature. As one of Africa’s most unique carnivores, this elusive visitor is a prized sighting for any backyard or trail camera enthusiast.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 100–130 cm (40–52 in) including the tail; weight typically ranges from 7 to 20 kg (15–44 lbs).

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Colors

High-contrast coat featuring black spots, stripes, and blotches on a cream or yellowish-gray background; distinctive black 'raccoon-like' facial mask and solid black limbs.

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Key Features

Erectile dorsal crest that stands up when threatened
Prominent black mask across the eyes and white neck stripes
Large, bushy tail with dark rings and a black tip
Sturdy, low-slung body with a dog-like snout

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Generalist omnivore eating insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, reptiles, frogs, wild fruits, and occasionally carrion.

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Habitat Woodlands, secondary forests, riverine thickets, and suburban forest edges.

public Geographic range

Where Does the African Civet Live?

Native to the vast landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa, the African Civet occupies a massive range that stretches from Senegal in the west across to the horn of Africa in Ethiopia and Somalia. From there, its territory extends southward through the tropical heart of the continent into the northern reaches of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. While they thrive in a variety of environments, they are most frequently encountered in moist woodlands, riverine thickets, and forest-edge habitats where cover is plentiful.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

12 Countries

15.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa NG Nigeria ET Ethiopia KE Kenya TZ Tanzania BW Botswana ZW Zimbabwe SN Senegal GH Ghana UG Uganda Angola ZM Zambia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The African Civet is a primarily solitary and nocturnal mammal that spends its nights foraging through the undergrowth. Unlike many other small carnivores, it is strictly terrestrial and rarely climbs trees. They are well-known for their unique 'civetries'—specific locations used as latrines where they also deposit secretions from their perineal glands to communicate with other individuals in the area.

When threatened, the African Civet can appear much larger than it actually is by raising a long crest of black hair along its spine. While they are generally shy and avoid direct human contact, they have adapted well to human-dominated landscapes, often venturing into gardens or farmsteads at night to hunt for rodents or scavenge on fallen fruit and refuse.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of an African Civet, place your camera low to the ground, approximately 30 to 50 centimeters (12 to 20 inches) high. These animals are strictly terrestrial and keep their noses to the ground while foraging, so a low angle provides the best view of their intricate facial markings and spots. Focus your efforts on 'civetries'—communal latrines that look like concentrated piles of scat; these are territorial hubs that civets visit almost every night.

Since civets are highly motivated by scent, using a pungent lure can stop them in their tracks for a better photo. Strong-smelling baits like canned sardines in oil or even a rag soaked in cheap perfume (simulating scent marking) can pique their curiosity. If you are in a suburban area, they are often attracted to the smell of fallen fruit or accessible pet food, though we recommend natural scent lures over feeding them directly.

Because the African Civet is almost exclusively nocturnal, ensure your camera has a high-quality infrared flash. Their high-contrast coat can sometimes 'white out' in overexposed night shots, so if your camera has adjustable flash settings, set it to a medium intensity or 'long range' to capture the detail of their spots without blowing out the highlights. A fast trigger speed or a 3-shot burst mode is ideal, as they tend to move with a steady, shuffling gait.

Seasonally, civets are active year-round, but you may see an increase in activity during the transition from the dry season to the wet season. During this time, the emergence of insects and amphibians provides a feast, and civets become more active as they take advantage of the abundance. Position your camera near water sources or along well-worn game trails leading from thick cover to open foraging areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

African Civets are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are active almost exclusively during the night. They usually emerge from their daytime hiding spots shortly after sunset and remain active until just before dawn, with peak activity occurring during the darkest hours of the midnight period.

If you live within their range, you can attract African Civets by maintaining a 'wild' corner of your garden with thick brush for cover. They are drawn to the scent of fallen fruit and the presence of small prey like rodents or insects. Using scent-based lures like fish oil or sardines near your trail camera can also encourage them to linger in front of the lens.

African Civets are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet is incredibly varied, including insects (like beetles and grasshoppers), small mammals, birds, eggs, frogs, and snakes. They also consume a significant amount of plant matter, particularly wild fruits and berries, and aren't above scavenging for carrion or household scraps.

Yes, African Civets are surprisingly adaptable and are frequently found in suburban areas that border woodlands or parks. They often move through residential gardens at night in search of food, though they are so secretive and quiet that many homeowners never realize they are there unless they have a trail camera.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by size and build. The African Civet is much larger and stockier, weighing up to 20kg, with a dog-like appearance and shorter legs. The Large Spotted Genet is much smaller (around 2kg), very slender, cat-like, and has an extremely long, ringed tail that is often longer than its body.

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