Indigenous Animals of Indonesia - Palm Civet, Luwak or Musang

There are many indigenous species of animals in Indonesia that a westerner or a "bule" (pronounced boo-lay) has never seen before or heard of.

This is one of them; the palm civet, luwak or "musang."  It resembles a cross between a racoon and a weasel with a long prehensile tail.

 
This animal is also responsible for cultivating or making "Kopi Luwak" (or civet coffee)  which is one of the worlds most expensive and low production varieties of "animal coffees" - and is another thing that puts Indonesia on the map.

The civet or musang eats the coffee bean cherries, then "passes" the coffee beans which are collected and processed to make the Kopi Luwak.  The natural digestive process of the animal makes the coffee beans less bitter and produces a very smooth coffee.  Being a coffee lover myself , I have tried "Kopi Luwak" and while it is noticeably and distinguishably very smooth and less bitter; I personally don't think it's worth the exorbitant price it goes for.

                                                                          

(Here is one I shot this video clip of for sale at a pet shop at Pluit Village Mall in Jakarta)