The African Civet is a common viverrid native to tropical Africa. Unlike many other members of the family, which resemble cats, the African Civet resembles a short dog-like animal. Its coarse coat varies but is usually an ornate pattern of black and white contrasting bands and blotches, with a white face mask and black eye patches and a pale muzzle. Like all civets it has perianal glands that produce a fluid known as civetone, which it spreads on markers in its territory to claim its range.