Musang

Musang is the Malay and Indonesian term for civets, a group of small- to medium-sized carnivorous mammals in the family Viverridae. In Malay-speaking regions the term covers several species rather than a single species, with the common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) among the best known. Civets occur across tropical Asia, including parts of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, with some species also found in Africa. They inhabit forests, mangroves, and increasingly cultivated areas where suitable food and shelter are available.

Musang are typically nocturnal and solitary. They tend to have elongated bodies and long tails, with fur colors ranging from grey and brown to patterned variations depending on species. They are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, small vertebrates, insects, and occasionally crops. Many species are adept climbers and swimmers, and they often use scent marking to define territory.

Reproduction varies by species, but females commonly give birth to 2–4 young after a gestation period of roughly 60–70 days. The young are cared for by the mother for several weeks to months, depending on species and environmental conditions.

Humans interact with musang in several ways. Their meat is consumed in some cultures, and civets are sometimes kept as pets or for fur. A controversial use is kopi luwak, where civets ingest coffee cherries and excrete beans that are processed into coffee; this practice has raised animal welfare concerns and regulatory scrutiny. Habitat loss and hunting threaten certain species, while others are listed as Least Concern by conservation assessments. Overall, musang contribute to ecosystem functioning as seed dispersers and predators, reflecting the health of tropical habitats.