The Malabar civet was historically reported from the Western Ghats of southern India. A 2010 literature review found no certain wild sighting and said that its life in the wild remained unknown.
Museum skins were described with spotted markings on the flanks and hindquarters, slanting dark lines on the throat, and a dark line along the tail.
A 2010 review concluded that no wild sighting was certain and that the species' reported ecology rested on speculation. Its diet, activity, and denning behavior were therefore unverified in that review.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.