Taxon name
Viverricula indica
É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Viverricula indica
É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803
Common name(s)
Small Indian Civet, Khatash, Gandho Gakul, Choto Bagdash, Bham, Newl, Kolkat
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Species authority
É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Thirteen sub-species have been reported worldwide.
Civetta indica Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803; Viverricula indica (Desmarest, 1804); Viverricula malaccensis (Gmelin, 1788)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Bangladesh
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Though this species is widely distributed in a diverse habitat throughout Bangladesh but the population has been declining due to different anthropogenic factors. Hunting, poaching and retribution killing of this species for attacking poultry and pigeon coop is also evident. Its countryside habitat is being continuously destroyed. This species does not fulfill any of the criteria for threatened categories. Therefore, this species has been categorized as Near Threatened based on its threats.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Sharmin Akhtar
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
http://iucnredlistbd.org/
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This civet is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (Jawa, Sumatera), Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, Introduced to Comoro Isles, Madagascar, Pemba Isles, Socotra Isles, the Philippines, Yemen and Zanzibar. Widely distributed throughout the country (Khan 2008, Khan 2015).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes, in the publication/on website
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
It is found in all forests in the country as well as homestead vegetations, bamboo thickets and old graveyard. Also found in sub-urban areas. This species is primarily nocturnal and terrestrial but sometimes active during day. It usually spends daytime in burrows, tree holes and thickets. Also it likes to hide in disused buildings and ruins. This civet is omnivorous; feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, fruits and some vegetable matter (Khan 1985, 1987, 2009). Small Indian Civet marks its territory with the characteristic scent secreted from the civet gland. No marked breeding season; young seen throughout the year. Litter size varies from 2 to 5 babies (Francis 2008).
History
Vulnerable in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000).
Publication
IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+232
