Civet vs. Musang — What's the Difference?

A civet () is a small, lean, mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The term civet applies to over a dozen different mammal species.

The Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), of South and Southeast Asia up to the Wallace Line.

Any of various catlike mammals of the family Viverridae of Africa and Asia, having anal scent glands that secrete a fluid with a musky odor. Also called civet cat.

A small animal of Java (Paradoxirus fasciatus), allied to the civets. It swallows, but does not digest, large quantities of ripe coffee berries, thus serving to disseminate the coffee plant; hence it is called also coffee rat.

The thick yellowish musky fluid secreted by one of these mammals, used in the manufacture of perfumes.

The fur of one of these mammals.

The palm civet of Africa.

(countable) A carnivorous catlike animal, Civettictis civetta, that produces a musky secretion. It is two to three feet (30–90 cm) long, with black bands and spots on the body and tail.

(uncountable) The musky perfume produced by the animal.

Any animal in the family Viverridae or the similar family Nandiniidae

Any of several species of spotted skunk, in the genus Spilogale.

A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet (Viverra civetta). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeable when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.

The animal that produces civet (Viverra civetta); - called also civet cat. It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species.

To scent or perfume with civet.

Catlike mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes