Lesson plan
Civet
A civet ( ) is a small, lean, mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The term civet applies to over a dozen different species, mostly from the family Viverridae. Most of the diversity of species is found in southeast Asia. Animals bearing the name “civet” do not form a monophyletic group, as they include members of both the Viverridae and Eupleridae, the latter being not technically civets. The common name “civet cat,” applied in popular usage to a variety of animals including actual civets, is inaccurate as a civet is not a form of cat. The African civet, Civettictis civetta, has historically been the main species from which a musky scent used in perfumery, also referred to as "civet", was obtained.
Article summary
A civet ( ) is a small, lean, mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The term civet applies to over a dozen different species, mostly from the family Viverridae. Most of the diversity of species is found in southeast Asia. Animals bearing the name “civet” do not form a monophyletic group, as they include members of both the Viverridae and Eupleridae, the latter being not technically civets. The common name “civet cat,” applied in popular usage to a variety of animals including actual civets, is inaccurate as a civet is not a form of cat. The African civet, Civettictis civetta, has historically been the main species from which a musky scent used in perfumery, also referred to as "civet", was obtained.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.