Think of predators with spots in Africa: leopard, cheetah and spotted hyaena would be on most #safari-goer's list; serval and genet might feature on fewer lists, but the most common, widespread and yet seldom seen one is the #Africancivet Civettictis civetta. Weighing up to 20kg and measuring up to 1.5m from nose to tail tip, they are solid, stocky animals found in forests and fields across sub-Saharan #Africa except the south.
Nocturnal, solitary omnivores, civets forage for fruits, including poisonous ones, invertebrates, including distasteful insects and millipedes, plus small vertebrates up to the size of a mongoose! As well as spots, they sport stripes, a banded tail, a dorsal crest and dog-like claws and pads. They are the largest member of the Viverridae and thought to resemble the common ancestor of all carnivores.
On a scientific expedition to Gashaka Gumti National Park in #Nigeria, I set up a camera-trap each night. My 93rd #BrightenYourDay video, to lift spirits in the #Covid19 #lockdown, is a condensed edit of one night near a research camp in the park. While we were asleep, this opportunist civet checked out the #cameratrap, and prowled around the pool of infra-red light. Nothing very dramatic happens except a chance to look at this lovely animal going about its business.