Malabar Large Spotted Civet

One of the world's rarest mammals, the Malabar Large Spotted Civet was once (20 - 25 years ago) a major source of "civet" (or "civet-musk"), a substance used in the production of perfume. Last spotted in the Western Ghats , these nocturnal cats are carnivorous, solitary and aggressive in nature. Greyish in color with prominent black spots, they forage on the ground and have never been observed in trees. Extensive deforestation and clearing of the cashew plantations that provide their cover has hit them hard. Today, they tend to be treated as raiders of poultry, and are captured and killed when encountered.