FAMILY. 
VIVERRIDAE. 
Tubercular molars, two above and one below; sectorial tooth typical; feet digitigrade or plantigrade; claws retractile; a short 
coecum. 
The species of this family are usually animals of moderate size, averaging, perhaps, that of 
the domestic cat, with a more slender and elongated body and more pointed muzzle, the tail 
long and generally annulated. There is in some respects a resemblance in form to the martens. 
The legs are short and the feet are usually five-toed, though in the mangoustes ( Cynictis ) the 
hind feet have but four toes, while in Byzaena all the feet exhibit this number. In the greater 
or less degree of retractility of the claws, the family is distinguishable from the martens and 
exhibit an approach to the cats. Most species are digitigrade, with hairy soles; a few have 
them naked. They have the two anal glands of the Mustelidae , with others in the anal and 
pubic regions peculiar to them. 
The typical dental formula of the Viverridae is—incisors, |^; canines, ^; premolars, ^ ; 
molars ,^=~= 40. In a few genera the first permanent premolars are not developed. The 
dentition differs from that of the Canidae, which it otherwise resembles, in having one tubercular 
true molar less in each-side of the lower jaw. There are two of these tubercular molars on each 
side, above and below, posterior to the sectorial teeth. The Mustelidae , on the other hand, have 
only one such tubercular molar. 
The geographical distribution of the Viverridae is quite restricted. Only one genus, Bassaris, 
is found in the New World; all the others are inhabitants of Africa and Southern Asia. A 
single species, the genet, ( Viverra genetta ,) occurs in Southern Europe. The African Viverra 
civetta, or civet cat, furnishes a well known musky substance called civet, a secretion from the 
peculiar anal glands. This is obtained sometimes from trees, upon which it is ejected by the 
animal, sometimes directly from their glandular pouch. 
