The common palm civet has a wide distribution in South and South-East Asia from Afghanistan in the west to Hainan and the adjacent Chinese coast in the east.
The common palm civet has a wide distribution in South and South-East Asia from Afghanistan in the west to Hainan and the adjacent Chinese coast in the east. It occurs widely on South-East Asian islands, but the natural pattern of occurrence there is uncertain, given the evidence of introduction by people.
Animals in Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas eastwards appear to be introductions, while the Philippine archipelago might have been colonised naturally but also might stem entirely from introductions.
Its recorded distribution in China is restricted to Hainan, southern Guangdong, (perhaps based on a trade animal,) south-western Guangxi, much of Yunnan, and south-western Sichuan provinces. It occurs on the small islands of Bawean, Indonesia; Con Son, Viet Nam; Koh Samui, Thailand; Koh Yao, Thailand; and Telebon, Thailand, and on the Philippine islands of Balabac, Busuanga, Camiguin, Culion, Leyte, Luzon, Marinduque, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Sangasanga, Sibuyan (specimens) and Catanduanes, Biliran, Maripipi, and Panay (other indications.)
It is sometimes stated to have been introduced to Japan, but this reflects confusion with Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata.
Sources: (Duckworth, et al., 2011; Heaney, et al., 1998; Lau, Fellowes, & Chan, 2010; Larivière, 2003; Meiri, 2005; Nelson, 2013; Patou et al. 2010; Stevens, et al., 2011; Veron et al. 2015; Wang, 2003)
Image: Gustav Mützel
