World Civet Day

About World Civet Day

World Civet Day (also known as National Civet Day) is held on the 4th of April every year. It's a day in which we shine a spotlight on this secretive and little-known mammal, sharing the characteristics and behaviours that make the civet such a unique creature.

It's also a chance to raise awareness of the threats civets face, particularly as part of the luxury coffee trade.

7 facts about civets

1. Civets are small carnivores in the Viverridae family, which also includes oyans, binturongs, linsangs, and genets.
2. Civets aren't cats. But they do have some cat-like features, including a long furry tail, whiskers, and a muzzle.
3. Civets have a varied diet, including fruits, small prey, and carrion. 
4. There are between 15 and 20 species of civet living in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. They typically live in woodland and savannah habitats.
5. Civets play an important role in seed dispersal. They eat fruits and excrete the seeds across their habitat. As such, their decline threatens entire ecosystems. 
6. Civets are captured and kept in cruel conditions to sustain the civet coffee trade. Civet coffee is considered a luxury in some parts of the world.
7. When caged, civets show signs of extreme stress, like pacing and harming themselves. These creatures often die early or show signs of injuries because of the conditions they are kept in.

Why are civets endangered?

Some civet species - including Owston's civet and the large-spotted civet - are endangered. According to the IUCN Red List, the Malabar civet is critically endangered, and the numbers of common palm civets and masked palm civets are decreasing.

Here are some of the threats civets face:

• The civet coffee industry: Many civets, especially common palm civets, are caged and force-fed coffee cherries to support the civet coffee industry.
• Civet musk farming: Species like the African civet are still exploited for their musk, which is used in perfumes and traditional medicine. 
• Wildlife trade: Civets, especially  masked palm civets, are sold as exotic pets.
• Habitat destruction: Many civet species live in forests. As trees are cut down to make way for farmland, civet habitat is destroyed and fragmented. 
• Hunting: Hunters use snares and dogs to catch and kill civets. Civet meat is seen as a luxury food, particularly in China and Vietnam.

Civet FAQs

What is a civet?

A civet is a small carnivorous mammal native to Africa, south Europe, and Asia. It has a cat-like face, a pointed snout, and a thick, furry tail. These animals are nocturnal, solitary, and highly elusive.

Can civet cats be pets?

Keeping a civet as an exotic pet is cruel. These wild animals experience extreme stress when exposed to human handling.

What is civet coffee?

Civet coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by a civet. It is seen as a delicacy in some parts of the world and is also known as Kopi Luwak (in Indonesia) and Weasel Coffee (in Vietnam).

How is civet coffee made?

Civet coffee is made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of a civet. Some civet coffee is "wild". This means beans are collected from the dung of wild civets.

However, civets are also farmed to produce civet coffee. They are force-fed and kept in battery-cage conditions, where many become ill or die.

How much does civet coffee cost?

Prices for civet coffee reach up to $300 per cup. It is thought that the coffee industry will be worth $10.9 billion USD by 2030.

Why is civet coffee so expensive?

Civet coffee is so expensive because it is successfully marketed as rare and unique. Sellers claim that the product is scarce, increasing its perceived value. Civet coffee tourism is also prevalent in Southeast Asia, where tourists are encouraged to try "the world's most famous coffee".

Are civets endangered?

Yes - and the civet coffee industry is one of the biggest threats to civets. To meet industry demands, these wild animals are torn from their natural habitat using harmful methods like box traps and snares, then sold to farms where they endure small, barren cages, poor diets, and stressful conditions, leading to self-harm, injuries, and early death.