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PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA

Northern Palm Civet

Northern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The Asian palm civet can use varied habitats; captivity and civet-coffee production should be distinguished from its wild behaviour.

About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.
Photograph of Northern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus).
(c) Firos AK, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Photograph cropped for layout.

What is the Northern Palm Civet?

Northern Palm Civet refers to Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, in the genus Paradoxurus, family Viverridae, and order Carnivora. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Northern Palm Civet?

The Asian palm civet can use varied habitats; captivity and civet-coffee production should be distinguished from its wild behaviour.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

Habitat and field observations of the Northern Palm Civet

Palm civets use forest, plantations and settlement edges. Fruit is important in their diet, while invertebrates and small vertebrates can also be taken.

Evidence: GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Northern Palm Civet?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 153 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Jawa Barat, Banten, Bali. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Northern Palm Civet?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Northern Palm Civet with Mainland Leopard Cat, Diadem Roundleaf Bat, Domestic Water Buffalo. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Explore related habitats

These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗
  4. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  5. Species account — background reading ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.