_ APPEARANCE: The civet cat, found across the world, resembles a large weasel, with a long, catlike body with a large tail. The civet's fur can be gray or brown, have stripes or spots, and bands of color on its tail. Some are between five and 11 pounds, but it can weigh up to about 25 pounds.
* USES: Civets are considered a culinary delicacy in China. Some types of civets are hunted for their fur. Civets also secrete musk that can be used to make perfume.
* TRAITS: Of the family Viverridae, the civet cat is a primarily nocturnal animal closely related to the mongoose. There are several species. Some are carnivores that live on the ground, while the animals with SARS in China are masked palm civets, which live in trees and eat fruit.
