The common name for any of various carnivorous catlike mammals of the family Viverridae of Africa and Asia. These small and medium-sized carnivores are often called “weasel cats” because of their long, slender weasel-like body with short limbs and their long, bushy tail and catlike disposition. They inhabit the warmer parts of the Old World, including southern Asia, the East Indies, portions of Africa, and Madagascar.