Himalayan Palm Civet (Paguma larvata) has long tail, approximately as long as the head and body put together. Tip of the tail is very dark. Head is black in color with pointed snout and muzzle. Underpart is white having white whiskers. The absence of freckles and other markings on the flanks makes it discernible from other relatives.
Facial markings are variable with white markings on the forehead, nose and beneath the ears and a blotch below the eye. Body length is 120 cm including tail, which is 60 cm. It weighs three to five kilogram. Limbs are darker than the body and have same color as that of the head.
Known distribution is from Jammu and Kashmir in the west along the Himalayas to Arunachal Pradesh. It can be seen in the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Sikkim.
