Brown Palm Civet

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About Brown Palm Civet:

It is also known as Jerdon’s palm civets, are endemic to the Western Ghats and play a vital ecological role as seed dispersers.
It is solitary and nocturnal, small carnivores that thrive in the high altitude tropical rainforests
Distribution: Its distribution extends from Castle Rock in Goa to the southern tip of the Western Ghats in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. It inhabits rainforest tracts at an elevation of 500–1,300 m.
Food Habit: It is predominantly frugivorous, foraging over a wide range, but has one of the smallest diet ranges among South Asia’s small carnivores.
Conservation status
- IUCN: Least Concern
- CITES : Appendix III

Key facts about Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
It is a significant protected area within the larger Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sanctuary is closely associated with the Koyna Dam, which is one of the largest dams in Maharashtra. The dam is built on the Koyna River and serves as a crucial water reservoir for the region.
Flora: It is characterized by a variety of vegetation types, including evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and deciduous forests. The flora includes valuable tree species like teak, shisham, and ain, along with a diverse understorey of shrubs and herbs.
Fauna: It is home to a variety of wildlife, including Indian bison (gaur), Indian elephants, Indian leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer etc.

Q1: What are Frugivores?

These are any animal that subsists totally or primarily on fruit. Although the diets of many animals include fruits, many species practice frugivory exclusively.

Source: Rare Sighting: Brown Palm Civet Spotted In Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary