The African civet is a nocturnal mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has a distinctive appearance, featuring a long body, short legs, and a bushy tail. Its fur is marked with a pattern of spots and stripes, which helps it blend into its forest and savanna habitats. The African civet primarily feeds on fruits, insects, and small animals. This species is known for its unique scent glands, which produce a substance called civetone. Historically, civetone has been used in perfumes and traditional medicine. African civets are solitary animals, often marking their territory with scent markings to communicate with others.