Kingdom Animalia Class Mammalia Family Viverridae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Carnivora Genus Viverra | |
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Similar Hippopotamus gorgops, Giraffa jumae, Theropithecus brumpti, Kolpochoerus, Eurygnathohippus | ||
Viverra leakeyi, also known as Leakey's civet or the giant civet, is an extinct species of civet. Its fossils have been found in Africa, from Langebaanweg, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the Omo Valley.
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Description
Being the largest viverrid currently known to ever exist, it grew to about the size of a small leopard, around 40 kilograms (88 lb) and 59 centimetres (23 in) high at the shoulder. V. leakeyi looked physically similar to living Asiatic civet species but is thought to be more closely related to the African Civettictis civetta due to their location.
Diet and Behavior
This civet more than likely was strictly carnivorous as according to the fossil specimens' dentition: in comparison, living civet species are observed to be omnivorous instead. Because of V. leakeyi's size and dentition, the living animal is thought to be an active predator.