I was surprise at the sight of these animals because i thought they were from the family of raccoons which are found largely in Europe and the North Americas. After posting in a Facebook group, i finally got the name of the animal; An African spotted CIVET.
They are mostly nocturnal mammals. They feed on small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, carrion and vegetable matter. They are capable of taking on poisonous invertebrates (such as the millipedes most other species avoid) and snakes.
Civets have a broadly cat-like general appearance, though the muzzle is extended and often pointed, rather like that of a mongoose.
They produce a musk (also called civet) highly valued as a fragrance and stabilizing agent for perfume. Both male and female civets produce the strong-smelling secretion, which is produced by the civet's perineal glands.
The musk is harvested by either killing the animal and removing the glands, or by scraping the secretions from the glands of a live animal. The latter is the preferred method today.
Civets are endangered species and can also be used as pets. I will sure love to have one as a pet in the future.
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