Banded palm civet

The banded palm civet (Hemigalus derbyanus), also called the banded civet, is a viverrid native to Indomalaya. They primarily inhabit lowland conifer habitat, which is under threat from encroaching human activity. It is estimated the population of the banded palm civet has decreased by around 30% in just three generations. Banded palm civets are usually approximately the size of a domestic cat; their fur is pale but with dark bands on the back. They are believed to be closely related to Hose's palm civets, which are similar in appearance and distribution.

The banded palm civet is the only species in its genus, first scientifically described in 1837. The species comprises four subspecies, distributed across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Two of the subspecies diverged from each other as long ago as 2.7 million years.

Banded palm civets are affected by a variety of parasites, such as nematodes, and are primarily carnivorous, eating small animals such as rodents and bugs. They have sensitive hairs on their paws which help them to detect potential prey.

The genus Hemigalus was named and first described in 1837 by Claude Jourdan who had a skin and skeleton of one zoological specimen at his disposal. In the same year, John Edward Gray described a specimen from the Malay Peninsula under the names Paradoxurus derbyanus and Paradoxurus derbianus. In 1939, Reginald Innes Pocock subordinated banded palm civet specimens described between 1837 and 1915 under the genus Hemigalus and recognised that it is a monotypic taxon. The genus name is derived from the Greek hemi (half) and galus (weasel), due to its appearance.^{[better source needed]}

The species is believed to be closely related to Hose's palm civet – another species of civet in the subfamily Hemigalinae, also distributed in Southeast Asia, and with a similar build and appearance.

There are four subspecies: H. derbyanus derbyanus, H. d. boiei, H. d. minor, and H. d. sipora. H. d. derbyanus is known from Myanmar and mainland Malaysia as well as Sumatra; H. d. boiei is known only from Borneo; H. d. minor, from South Pagai and the Mentawai islands; and H. d. sipora, from Sipora and the Mentawai islands. There is also a population on Siberut island, but it has not been attributed to any subspecies.

It is estimated that H. d. minor and H. d. derbyanus diverged from each other some 2.7 million years ago.

The banded palm civet's fur is usually pale in colour, and they have between seven and eight dark bands on their face and on their back. The pale colour is typically pale brown, grey, whitish or buff, but can also be yellowish; the bands are usually dark brown, black, or chestnut in colour. It is roughly the size of domestic cat, growing up to 53 cm (21 in) in length – minus the tail – and weighing from 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb). The tail is usually three-quarters the length of the body and head combined, and appear to swell in size in response to a threat. It has sensitive hairs in between the pads of its paws for sensing prey.