African civet

The African civet is a large, nocturnal mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its black-and-white spotted coat and perineal secretion, civet, distinguish it from other African carnivores.

Viverridae: Viverridae is a family of mostly small to medium-sized carnivorous mammals, including civets, genets, and linsangs. The African civet is the largest living member of this family.
Animal communication: Animal communication is the transfer of information between animals through signals and cues. Civets use scent and other signals to convey information.
Perfumery: Perfumery is the art and practice of creating fragrant compositions. Civet secretion was used as a fixative and odor component in perfumes.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa is the region of the African continent south of the Sahara Desert. The African civet’s native range spans much of this region.
Carnivora: Carnivora is the mammalian order that includes cats, dogs, bears, seals, and their relatives. The African civet belongs to this diverse order of mammals.
Scent marking: Scent marking is the deposition of odors by animals to communicate identity, territory, or reproductive status. African civets use scent from specialized glands to mark their surroundings.
Civetone: Civetone is a macrocyclic ketone found in civet secretion and valued for its musky odor. This compound contributes to the characteristic scent that made civet useful in perfumery.
West African savanna: The West African savanna is a broad belt of tropical grassland and woodland in western Africa. It is among the habitats occupied by African civets.
Civet: Civet is a strongly scented secretion produced by glands near the genitals of civets and some related mammals. This animal’s perineal glands produce the secretion that gave it historical commercial importance.
Territoriality: Territoriality is the defense or regular use of an area by an individual or group. Scent marks help civets communicate boundaries and occupancy.

Linked from 4 pages