Large-spotted Civet

Pocock described the large-spotted civet as varying in colour from silvery-grey to golden-buff or tawny with a black to brown pattern and large or comparatively small spots, which are separated or sometimes fusing into blotches or into vertical stripes behind the shoulders. White bands on the tail are mostly restricted to the sides and lower surface but very seldom form complete rings. Adults measure 30–30.5 in (76–77 cm) in head and body with a 13–15.5 in (33–39 cm) long tail. Its weight ranges from 6.6–8.4 kg (14.5–18.5 lb).

The large-spotted civet occurs in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and southern China. In China, it was last sighted in 1998. It inhabits evergreen, deciduous, and dry dipterocarp forests below elevations of 300 m (980 ft). In Thailand, it occurs in several protected areas as far south as Ranong Province.

Pocock considered V. megaspila and V. civettina to be distinct species. Ellerman and Morrison-Scott considered V. civettina a subspecies of V. megaspila.

== References ==