The Asian palm civet has become so popular because of Luwak coffee or so-called civet coffee crowned as the most expensive coffee in the world. Some people also call this cute animal a toddy cat and musang, a small mammal of the Viverridae family. The Asian palm civets are actually native animals of South and Southeast Asia, especially from Indonesian islands such as Sumatra, Java, Bawean, Kalimantan, and Siberut.
Palm civets are also native to other Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Bhutan, Vietnam, and so on. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, this animal has been listed as the Least Concern since 2018. That’s because its numbers today are still increasing.
So, to get more insight into facts about Asian palm civet, finish our complete review below.
Characteristics of Asian Palm Civets

This small mammal has an average body length of up to 43-71 cm. The tail length of this civet is between 40 cm to 66 cm. Meanwhile, their weight can vary from 2 to 5 kg. The Asian palm civet is also known for its characteristic of a pointed snout and long furry tail. Their body is covered with shaggy hair and grayish in color.
As an omnivore, the Asian Palm Civet has a broad diet ranging from fruits to insects. Besides liking coffee cherries, the Asian palm civet also has a great fondness for palm flower sap. In terms of behavior, this cute mammal likes climbing trees and living in forests. Moreover, they are known as nocturnal animals who like to roam around at night or dusk.
Distribution and Habitat of Asian Palm Civets

The Asian palm civet is a small mammal that loves to live in the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia. As previously mentioned, this type of civet is native to several Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
Furthermore, these animals also like to inhabit primary and secondary forests, mangroves, seasonally flooded peat swamp forests, teak plantations, or oil palms. Moreover, Asian palm civets are often found in parks or suburban gardens with undisturbed vegetation or surrounded by mature fruit trees.
Fun Facts About Asian Palm Civet

Aside from their cute appearance, here are some fun facts about Asian palm civets you need to know.
Is the Asian Palm Civet a Cute Animal?
Undoubtedly, these small mammals are cute in their own way. They have unique motifs, like wearing a white mask on their forehead. They also have white spots on either side of their nostrils. There is a dark line between the civet’s eyes which makes it look cuter. Along with their shiny eyes, their furry body and small ears make their appearance even more charming.
How Do Asian Palm Civets Communicate?
The Asian palm civet, also known as the civet cat, is usually a silent animal, but it can also produce sounds similar to meows. Also, when threatened, they will do something like snarling, hissing, and spitting. Other than that, these animals like to use their scent glands to communicate with their species instead of using their vocalizations.
That’s why these cute animals, or civet cats, usually release their anal glands on the ground to mark their territories. However, the Asian palm civet has various modes of communication at their disposal, such as visual, auditory, or the ability to sense smell.
What Do Asian Palm Civets Eat?
The Asian palm civet has an extensive range of diets. They like to eat fruits, such as mangoes, coffee cherries, berries, and bananas. The palm flower also became their favorite diet. Along with insects, a civet cat eats small animals like snakes, rodents, lizards, and frogs.
Other Facts About Asian Palm Civet
Apart from the interesting facts above luwak, here are other fun details about Asian palm civets.
- Nocturnal Creatures: Asian Palm Civets are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. This makes them incredibly elusive and difficult to spot in the wild. Their large eyes are adapted for night vision, helping them navigate through the dark.
- Great Climbers: Known for their agility, these civets are excellent climbers. They spend a lot of time in trees, where they find food, shelter, and escape from predators. Their sharp claws and flexible bodies make them adept at navigating through the forest canopy.
- A Solitary Lifestyle: The Asian Palm Civet is a solitary animal that likes to spend its time alone. They only congregate with one another during mating season, and after mating, they go their separate ways. These animals prefer to hunt alone and are not inclined to share their food with others.
- Long Lifespan: Despite their small size, Asian Palm Civets have a relatively long lifespan. On average, they live between 15 to 20 years, and some reports even mention that they can live up to 22 years in the wild.
- Reproductive Cycle: After mating, female civets go through a gestation period of around 2 months. They typically give birth to 2-5 pups in a litter, which are cared for by the mother until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
- Important in Ecosystem: Asian Palm Civets play an essential role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers. By eating a variety of fruits and berries, they help spread seeds across large areas, which promotes plant growth and helps maintain a healthy forest environment.
- Endangered in Some Areas: While not globally endangered, the Asian Palm Civet faces threats in certain regions due to habitat loss and hunting. Their popularity in the coffee industry (due to the production of kopi luwak) has also led to concerns about their conservation status.
Asian Palm Civet and Luwak Coffee

The Asian palm civet and coffee are two things that are inseparable today. Luwak coffee, widely known as civet coffee, is a coffee produced from coffee cherries eaten and digested by Asian palm civets. These half-digested beans undergo a process of fermentation when they pass through the civet’s digestive organs.
However, this coffee is popular because the caffeine content in both Robusta and Arabica Luwak coffee tends to be lower than in unfermented ones. But unfortunately, due to civet coffee becoming a trendy drink, Asian palm civets are being increasingly hunted from the wild to boost coffee production.