| Golden Palm Civet[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Paradoxurus |
| Species: | P. zeylonensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Paradoxurus zeylonensis (Pallas, 1777) |
|
| Golden Palm Civet range | |
The Golden Palm Civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis) is a civet endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a smallish civet and has a coat that is a golden brown or dark brown in color. The hair on the back of its neck grows reverse grain, from the shoulders toward the head.[3] It is poorly studied, but it is thought to feed on fruits, berries, insects, birds, frogs, and lizards.
In Sri Lanka this animal is called Pani uguduwa, Sapumal kalawaddha or Ranhothambuwa/Hotambuwa by the Sinhala speaking community.[3] However, the term Hotambuwa is mostly used to refer altogether a different species Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii). Due to similar appearance and coloration, they are mistaken as the same animal.
The Golden Palm Civet and Asian Palm Civet are sometimes collectively called kalawedda in Sinhala and maram nai in Tamil.[3]
This civet appears in 3 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.[4] However, it is named as 'Golden Palm Cat' in the stamp.
