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Civet
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<p>A civet is a small, lean, mostly <a href="/facts/Nocturnal/PqAkbpKf">nocturnal</a> mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The term <i>civet</i> applies to over a dozen different species, mostly from the family <a href="/facts/Viverridae/m3dwK7yX">Viverridae</a>. Most of the species's diversity is found in southeast Asia. Civets do not form a <a href="/facts/Monophyletic/pD8Yrrn6">monophyletic</a> group, as they consist only of certain members of the Viverridae and <a href="/facts/Eupleridae/p0pvUMP6">Eupleridae</a>. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/African_civet/MqSt0svc">African civet</a>, <i>Civettictis civetta</i>, has historically been the main species from which a <a href="/facts/Musk/4zJGHg3h">musky</a> scent used in perfumery, also referred to as "<a href="/facts/Civet_(perfumery)/FxrYm60w">civet</a>", was obtained. </p>