Linsang facts for kids

Prionodon linsang, the banded linsang

The linsangs are four feliform species, two in Asia and two in Africa. The whole group was put in the Viverridae in a subfamily. The two pairs are:

The species of African linsangs are:

• Poiana leightoni – Leighton's linsang
• Poiana richardsonii – African linsang

The species of Asiatic linsangs are:

• Prionodon linsang – Banded linsang
• Prionodon pardicolor – Spotted linsang

DNA analysis shows:

1. the African linsangs (Poiana) are true viverrids closely related to the genet.
2. the Asiatic linsangs (Prionodon) are not, and may be the closest living relatives of the Felidae family. Discovering this, the Asiatic linsangs are now put into a family of their own. They are not viverrids.

Therefore, the similarities between the two genera of linsangs must be convergent. All of them are cat-like in appearance. They are nocturnal, generally solitary tree dwellers. They are carnivorous, eating squirrels and other rodents, small birds, lizards and insects. Typical size is a little over 30 cm (1 foot), with a tail that more than doubles that length. Bodies are long, with short legs, giving a low appearance. All species have yellowish bodies with black markings (stripes, blotches and spots), though the distribution and nature of the markings varies between species.