Viverra zibetha

Civet is a glandular secretion produced by both sexes of the civet cat (Viverridae). Two species are known Civetticitis civetta that inhabits Ethiopia, and Viverra zibetha that is found in India and southeast Asia. 

Civet is a yellowish viscous secretion of the Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha) and African civet (Civettictis civetta) (Fig. 3.39). Both sexes use it for the marking of their roaming area. For centuries the scented material is obtained by curettage of the perineal glands, located near the sexual organs of the civets. 

Viverra zibetha (a) and Civettictis civetta (b) are among the largest representatives of the family of Viverri-dae. African civets have been kept in captivity and milked for their civet which is diluted into perfumes. They can secrete three to four grams of civet per week. [158]... 

This simple, but unusual cycloalkenone is called civetone, as it is isolated from a gland present in both male and female civet cats, Viverra civetta and Viverra zibetha. The cats use it as a sexual attractant and marking agent. It has a strong musky odor, overwhelming when concentrated (to humans, that is, probably not to civet cats). In high dilution the odor becomes quite pleasant, and civetone and the... 

Definition Derived from civet cats, Viverra civetta and V. zibetha... 

Source Viverra civetta Schreber (syn. Ci-vettictis civetta Schreber), V.zibetha L., and other related species (Family Viverridae). 

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