Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernAsian Palm Civet at a glance
The Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a mammal in the family Viverridae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Banten, Bali. Diet: mainly fruit, plus palm sap, insects and small animals; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Paradoxurus hermaphroditus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Musang luwak |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Viverridae |
| Observation records | West Java, Banten, Bali |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Taxonomic group | Carnivora |
| GBIF records | 153 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly fruit, plus palm sap, insects and small animals · Animal Diversity Web |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) · Exploring temporal activity of dholes, their prey, and competitors in East Java, Indonesia (Havmøller et al. 2024, Ecology and Evolution; PMC) |
In this guide (13)
What is the Asian Palm Civet?
Asian 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.
What is known about the Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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 West Java, 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 Asian 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 Asian 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.
Scientific classification of the Asian Palm Civet
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Viverridae |
| Genus | Paradoxurus |
| Species | Paradoxurus hermaphroditus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Asian Palm Civet
What is the scientific name of the Asian Palm Civet?
The scientific name of the Asian Palm Civet is Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, in the family Viverridae and the order Carnivora. In Indonesian it is called Musang luwak.
What kind of animal is the Asian Palm Civet?
The Asian Palm Civet is a mammal in the family Viverridae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a mainly fruit, plus palm sap, insects and small animals.
Where does the Asian Palm Civet live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Asian Palm Civet summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Banten, Bali. That list is not a complete range map.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the Asian Palm Civet eat?
The Asian Palm Civet is a mainly fruit, plus palm sap, insects and small animals. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
How does the Asian Palm Civet reproduce?
The Asian Palm Civet reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
Is the Asian Palm Civet nocturnal?
The cited source records the Asian Palm Civet as nocturnal (active at night). Source: Exploring temporal activity of dholes, their prey, and competitors in East Java, Indonesia (Havmøller et al. 2024, Ecology and Evolution; PMC).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Asian Palm Civet?
Scientific classification of the Asian Palm Civet: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Viverridae, genus Paradoxurus, species Paradoxurus hermaphroditus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Asian Palm Civet endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Asian Palm Civet is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Asian Palm Civet is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Exploring temporal activity of dholes, their prey, and competitors in East Java, Indonesia (Havmøller et al. 2024, Ecology and Evolution; PMC) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Related causes and news
Further reading
Civet: facts, threats and conservation ↗ — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/paradoxurus-hermaphroditus/