Water civet [1] ( lat. Genetta piscivora ) is a predatory animal of the civet family .
| Water civet |
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| Scientific classification |
|---|
| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| Nadotryad : | Laurasiotherium |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Genetta piscivora ( Allen , 1919) |
| Area |
|---|
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| Security status |
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Close to VulnerabilityIUCN 3.1 Near Threatened : 15628 |
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Endemic of the Democratic Republic of Congo , where it is unevenly distributed from the right bank of the Congo River to the east to the Great Rift Valley . It lives at an altitude of 460-1500 m above sea level. They are considered one of the rarest African predators, known only for approximately 30 museum specimens. Almost all samples were obtained from local hunters. The animals fell into their traps, which are usually put on trails near small rivers. Fish-eating species, a resident of a tropical rainforest, dominated by trees of the genus Gilbertiodendron .
The main threats to the species are not identified. They are hunted for the meat of the pygmy Bambuti; this meat is taboo for all but elders. It is not known whether there are serious threats to their habitat. It has full protection provided by the decision of the government of the country. They are found in the Okapi Reserve [2] .
