A Study of The Behavior of Small Civet (Viverricula indica) During The Estrus Period

We observed a series sexual behavior of civet in captivity during the estrus period with infrared ray telescope,and recorded the lacamotor,marking frequency and courtship calling with the clock control auto record device and Sony tape recorder.he results were as following:1.It was revealed the civet have two periods of heat per year.Most of them occurred in spring (Feb.-Apr.) and only few in autumn (Aug.-Sept.).The period of estrus lasted about 12-15 days.2.The locomotor activity frequency increased during the estrus period.The copulation occurred usually in that day when the civet is the most active.3.An increased frequency of scent-marking were observed in male and female during the estrus.The male civet marked with civet oil on any objects,but they more like to mark on other male and female cages with civet oil.The female civets marked with civet oil only on own cage.4.The male civet sounded"da,da,da…"frequently during the heat period,followed the estrus female and sniffed the anus of the female.The copulation behavior usually occurred on 21:00-22:00.Scent stimuti and calling are important for mate selection.