Fanaloka
The Fanaloka, also known as the Madagascar cat or the Madagascar mongoose, belongs to the family Viverridae. This species is native to Madagascar, where it lives in forests and dry deciduous woodlands. Its diet consists mainly of insects, small reptiles, birds’ eggs, and some fruits. There are no records about the population size of this species. However, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are fewer than 10,000 individuals left in the wild.
Classification
The Malagasy civets are members of the genus Mellivora, along with the banded palm and several species of true civet. They are most closely related to the euplerids, such as the mongoose family Herpestidae. Their closest living relatives are the African civets and genet.
In 2016, a study published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution found that the Malagasy civettas form a clade within the tribe Paradoxurini, a part of the superfamily Viverrinae. This finding supports the idea that the genus Mellivora originated in Africa and spread into Madagascar via Asia about 5 million years ago. However, another study published in 2017 found that the Malagassy civets formed a clade within the genus Paradoxurus, which suggests that the genus Mellivore originated in Madagascar rather than Africa.
Description
The Malagasy civets are medium sized nocturnal omnivores. They feed mainly on insects and fruits, but occasionally eat birds, lizards, frogs, fish, snakes, rodents, eggs, and carrion. Their diet includes ants, termites, beetles, moths, spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, snails, slugs, earthworms, fruit, flowers, seeds, bulbs, roots, tubers, fungi, leaves, bark, stems, buds, herbs, shoots, nuts, berries, mushrooms, and lichens.
They live in tropical forests, dry deciduous woodlands, scrubland, savanna, mangroves, and coastal areas, including urban environments. In some cases, they use human habitations for shelter and protection from predators.
Inhabits forested areas, usually near water; avoids open habitats. Prefers dense vegetation such as bamboo thickets, shrubs, low trees, and tall grasses. Forages primarily at night, but sometimes during daylight hours. Lives alone or in groups of 2–6 individuals. Home ranges vary depending on food availability. Territories overlap extensively. Breeds throughout the year except during the rainy season.
Males defend territories against conspecifics. Females give birth to one young per year. Gestation lasts 60 days. Young are born blind and naked, weighing 4–5 g (0.1–0.17 oz). Weaning takes place around 3 months old. Mature at 12–15 months. Sexual maturity at 18–24 months. Lifespan 10–12 years.
Behavior
The Malagasy civets are omnivorous mammals native to Madagascar. They feed mainly on invertebrates such as termites, ants, beetles, and spiders, and some fruits and seeds. In addition to eating meat, they also consume vegetable matter, including tubers, roots, leaves, flowers, buds, bark, and fruit pulp.
They inhabit rainforests, dry deciduous forests, savannas, and mangroves, and live in groups of up to 20 individuals. Their social structure consists of a dominant pair and several subordinate adults and juveniles. A female civet typically gives birth every 2–3 months, and her offspring remain dependent on her for about 5 weeks. The young reach sexual maturity at around 4–5 months old.
Civets are diurnal, active during daytime hours. However, because they spend most of their time hidden in holes, they are mostly nocturnal. They are very shy and secretive, and avoid humans unless they are trapped or cornered. When threatened, they run away quickly, often leaping into nearby vegetation.
In the wild, they prefer areas with dense undergrowth and cover, where they hunt prey by scent rather than sight. Because of their diet, they are rarely seen outside of protected reserves. They are usually found near water, but will travel long distances to find food. They are known to climb trees, but do not build dens; instead, they sleep in hollowed out tree trunks or caves.
A study published in 2016 showed that civets use olfactory cues to locate food, and that their sense of smell is better than human beings’. This ability allows them to detect predators long before they come close enough to see them. By smelling the predator, they know exactly what it looks like, allowing them to avoid being eaten.
Distribution and habitat
The Malagasy civets are diurnal animals, active during dawn and dusk. They spend most of the day resting in trees, shrubs, or caves. They feed mostly on fruits and insects, and occasionally eat small vertebrates such as rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. They usually avoid humans, although some individuals approach people and domestic animals in search of food.
They live alone or in pairs, and form monogamous relationships with one partner throughout their lives. Females give birth once every 2–4 months, producing litters of 3–6 young. Male offspring disperse at around 5–7 weeks old, while female offspring remain in the natal group until weaned.
Conservation status
The Malagasy civethas been assessed by the IUCN Red List since 1996. In 2016, the Malagasy civetthe first mammal to receive this designationwas listed as Endangered, following a decline in population due to loss of habitat and persecution by humans. However, in 2018, the IUCN reclassified the species asVulnerable, citing a continuing decrease in population size. This is based on evidence that the species is facing increased threats from illegal trade, including poaching for bushmeat, and domestic dog predation.
A study published in 2017 concluded that the Malagasy civeshould be classified as Critically Endangered, noting that its current population is less than 5% of what it once was, and that it is known to occur in only four locations, none of which are protected areas.
Sources
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