THE CIVET CAT 
base of the tail the hair is long, forming a crest. The 
tail from the root half way along is ringed with 
white. These rings are interrupted by a black band 
running along the upper part of the tail. The tail 
towards the tip is quite black. 
In the wilder parts of the country, away from 
the habitations of man, the Civet Cat fulfils its 
mission in life by checking the too rapid increase of 
various animals, including such pests as venomous 
snakes, rats, mice, locusts, and a variety of insects 
more or less noxious to mankind. 
The Swazis call this animal the Mpicamadhloti, 
which means “ that which puzzles spirits.” This 
is evidently because of its shy and secretive habits, 
which are supposed to baffle even the powers of a 
spirit to find it. 
