Arctogalidia trivirgata
Dublin Core
Title
Arctogalidia trivirgata
Subject
Taxonomy
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae
Genus : Arctogalidia
Species : Arctogalidia trivirgata
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae
Genus : Arctogalidia
Species : Arctogalidia trivirgata
Common name/ vernacular name
- Musang Akar (Malay)
- Small-toothed Palm Civet (English)
- Three-striped Palm Civet (English)
Description
Morphology/ physical description
Generally, the head and back is beige, brownish grey, and sometimes reddish brown; while the under pelage is a reddish brown. Their heads, ears, feet, and tails are usually a dusky brown to grayish black. It is not uncommon to see a white strip extending from their nose to their forehead, usually with three noticeable black or dark brown stripes or spots extending from their neck to the base of their tail and midway down their sides. Many times small-toothed palm civets are confused with Asian palm civets due to the variability in their pelage.
Generally, the head and back is beige, brownish grey, and sometimes reddish brown; while the under pelage is a reddish brown. Their heads, ears, feet, and tails are usually a dusky brown to grayish black. It is not uncommon to see a white strip extending from their nose to their forehead, usually with three noticeable black or dark brown stripes or spots extending from their neck to the base of their tail and midway down their sides. Many times small-toothed palm civets are confused with Asian palm civets due to the variability in their pelage.
Habitat and Ecology
Small-toothed palm civets are primarily a solitary, nocturnal, and arboreal species found over a wide range of habitats. Sightings have occurred in low-lands, as well as dense primary and secondary tropical canopies of coniferous forests.
Small-toothed palm civets are primarily a solitary, nocturnal, and arboreal species found over a wide range of habitats. Sightings have occurred in low-lands, as well as dense primary and secondary tropical canopies of coniferous forests.
Ecosystem role
Since they are frugivores and one of the only arboreal carnivores in their ecosystem, small-toothed palm civets play a key role in seed dispersal. They also control prey populations. (McNab, 1995)
Since they are frugivores and one of the only arboreal carnivores in their ecosystem, small-toothed palm civets play a key role in seed dispersal. They also control prey populations. (McNab, 1995)
Economic importance
small-toothed palm civets become victims of the black market pet trade. When walking in the markets of Southeast Asia they are found for sale, which could be considered a benefit to the local economy. However, they are difficult for humans to trap or acquire since they are quite agile in their natural habitat. Rarely small-toothed palm civets will be taken for their meat in Chinese and Vietnamese markets. However, due to their small size they are often not worth the effort.
small-toothed palm civets become victims of the black market pet trade. When walking in the markets of Southeast Asia they are found for sale, which could be considered a benefit to the local economy. However, they are difficult for humans to trap or acquire since they are quite agile in their natural habitat. Rarely small-toothed palm civets will be taken for their meat in Chinese and Vietnamese markets. However, due to their small size they are often not worth the effort.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern
Least Concern
Creator
Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832)
Source
Publisher
Intan Rabitah Mustafa
Contributor
Intan Rabitah Mustafa
Language
English
Collection
Citation
Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832), “Arctogalidia trivirgata,” BIDARA, accessed February 4, 2026, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/24.