靈貓（Viverridade）,源自拉丁语 viverra（"雪貂"）,意指该科的所有成员都是貂形动物,不过雪貂而不是该科的成员,而是鼬科的成员.

Viverridade, from Latin viverra (“ferret”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are ferret-shaped animals, although the ferret is not a member of this family, but rather of Mustelidae.

種的俗名 Common names of members

麝貓,林貍,獛.

Civets, linsangs, genets.

分佈 Distribution

伊比利亚半岛、非洲北部和撒哈拉以南地区以及南亚、东南亚和东亚.

Iberian Peninsula, Northern and sub-saharan Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia.

體型 Size

牠们属于中小型,体长从 33 公分、重 650 克到 84 公分、重 18 公斤不等.

They are small-medium sized, from 33 cm length and a weight of 650 g to 84 cm and 18 kg.

形態描述 Morphology

牠们与猫科动物的区别在于：口吻较长,下颚骨之间有一簇面部振膜,四肢较短,后足有五趾且第一指存在.牠们的每只脚都有四到五个脚趾和半伸缩爪.每个下颌有六颗门牙,上颌和下颌各有一颗臼齿,臼齿后面有两个小瘤状磨盘.舌头粗糙,有锋利的刺.牠们的会阴部腺体位于生殖器官和肛门之间,能产生强烈的气味物质,用于防御和标记领地.

They are distinguished from the Felidae by the longer muzzle and tuft of facial vibrissae between the lower jaw bones, and by the shorter limbs and the five-toed hind foot with the first digit present. They have four or five toes on each foot and half-retractile claws. They have six incisors in each jaw and molars with two tubercular grinders behind in the upper jaw, and one in the lower jaw. The tongue is rough with sharp prickles. They have perineal glands located between reproductive organs and anus, which produce strong smelling substances for defense and marking territory.

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

有些是树栖动物,生活在树上,最常见的栖息地是热带森林,但牠们也生活在热带草原.有些善于游泳,生活在河流附近.

Some are arboreal and live on trees in its most common habitat, the tropical forests, but they also live in savannas. Some are good swimmers and live near rivers.

食性 Diet

牠们是夜间猎手,以小型脊椎动物（包括腐肉）、昆虫和其他无脊椎动物（包括蠕虫、甲壳类动物和软体动物）为食.有些种类可能是严格意义上的肉食性动物,有凶猛而有效的捕食者的美誉；此外的食物中也包括水果和根茎.

They are nocturnal hunters, feeding on small vertebrates (including carrion), insects, and other invertebrates including worms, crustaceans, and molluscs. Some species are probably strictly carnivorous and have the reputation of fierce and effective predators; others also include fruit and roots in their diets.

Reproduction 繁殖

Only females responsible for parenting. On average, 2-3 kittens will be born each time.

只有雌性负责养育.平均每次产下 2-3 只小猫.

Total species known 已知的物種

37

Species in the collection 博物館收藏的物種

3

Species in Hong Kong 在香港已知的物種

2

Reference

http://Feldhamer, G. A., L. C. Drickamer, S. H. Vessey, and J. F. Merritt. (2020). Mammalogy. Adaptation, Diversity, and Ecology. Johns Hopkins University Press. Nowak, R. M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press.