Civet (gandhogokul) small to medium-sized carnivorous mammals, of the genus Viverra, belonging to the family Viverridae, order Carnivora. They are solitary and nocturnal carnivores, found in forested areas of Africa and southern Asia. They have longer jaws and more teeth than cats. The ground colour of civets is buffish-gray variously spotted and striped with black, with an erectile ridge of dark hair along the back. The perineal glands open under the tail into a large pouch in which a greasy, musk-like secretion accumulates. This secretion is used for marking out the territory and is deposited on tree trunks, stones and other objects; it may also serve to bring the sexes together at the breeding season. Extracts from this gland are taken from the African Civet, the civet valued in commerce, kept in captivity, and used in perfumery. Civets and its relatives such as genets, mongooses, linsangs and fossas amount to some 66 species. Bangladesh has 5 species of civets of which 3 are threatened.

Table Civets of Bangladesh