Genet

[Lisbeth]

Common Genet

Genets are feliforms, and are related to cats, but more closely related to mongooses. Most of them have spotted coats, long, banded tails, small heads, and large ears. (The common genet is the most variable morphologically of all genets and is often misidentified.[3][6]) They are able to move through any opening that their head can fit through. Like civets, genets have strong musk glands, located by the anus, which are used for territorial, sexual and social purposes.

Genets possess extremely long tails, typically around one to one and a half times the length of their bodies. Their bodies are typically 16.9 to 22.9 inches long, while their tails are approximately 15.4-20.9 inches long. These longs tails provide a highly effective counterweight that enables them to easily maintain balance as they leap from tree limb to tree limb. However, the length of genets' tails does not necessarily correspond to them inhabiting a more woody habitat. They are not strictly terrestrial, and spend much of their time in trees.[9] Genets have semi-retractable claws, which they use for climbing and holding prey, but not for fighting.

The color of the fur is variable, generally grayish or yellowish, with brown or black spots on the sides, sometimes arranged in rows. The tail may be black with white rings, and completely black genets are fairly common.

Genets can move their eyes within their sockets, but eye mobility is limited; head movement is required. Their ears can move via the pinna in order to locate sounds. The nose has a dual function, both olfactory and tactile perception. Smelling is aided by the rhinarium, utilized in many other mammals. Adult genets typically weigh around 2.2 to 6.6 pounds, with an average weight of 4.4 pounds

[Toko]

Genets are Old World mammals from the order Carnivora, suborder Feliformia, family Viverridae, and subfamily Viverrinae. All species are contained within the genus Genetta, although the aquatic genet is sometimes housed in its own genus Osbornictis.
All live exclusively in Africa except for the widespread Common Genet aka Small-spotted Genet (Genetta genetta), which inhabits diverse habitats and can be found in Northwest Africa and Southwestern Europe (in the Mediterranean zone, from the Iberian Peninsula to France), parts of the Middle East, and the Balearic Islands.

The two South African species are the Small-spotted Genet (Genetta genetta) and large-spotted Genet (Genetta tigrina). They both have slender bodies, long tails, short legs and long, rounded ears, but you can tell them apart by looking at their spots, chins and tails.

The number of species in the genus is controversial; as few as 3 and as many as 30 subspecies have been described.
Genetta abyssinica - Abyssinian Genet
Genetta angolensis - Angolan Genet
Genetta bourloni - Bourlon's Genet
Genetta cristata - Crested Genet (considered by some authorities to be a subspecies of the servaline genet)
Genetta genetta - Common Genet or Small-spotted Genet
Genetta johnstoni - Johnston's Genet
Genetta maculata - Panther Genet
Genetta pardina - Pardine Genet
Genetta piscivora - Aquatic Genet (sometimes placed in own genus Osbornictis)
Genetta poensis - King Genet
Genetta servalina - Servaline Genet
Genetta thierryi - Thierry's Genet or Haussa Genet
Genetta tigrina - Large-spotted Genet or Blotched Genet/Cape Genet
Genetta victoriae - Giant Genet

[Lisbeth]

Distribution and Habitat.
In Africa, Genetta genetta occurs in North Africa, Arabia, and throughout the Savannah zone of Africa, south of the Sahara. In South Africa, it is common in the west-central part of KwaZulu-Natal, in Cape Province, and in QwaQwa National Park in the Free State province.[23] It is common in Morocco, but rare in Libya, Egypt, and Zambia.

It has been found that females prefer thickets, while males use trees more than females. Because of their solitary natures, genets each tend to have their own territories; however, the male and female home ranges may overlap.

The common genet and the wood mice share the same habitats and niches, specifically Mediterranean forests. For this reason, they have physiological and ecological similarities.

The genet was first brought to the Mediterranean region as a domestic animal approximately 1000 to 1500 years ago from Algeria, and from there, spread throughout southwestern Europe. The common genet is related to the Magrebian species of genets, which are native to western North Africa.

Adrienne Kruzer, a Registered Veterinary Technician, writes, "There is some suspicion that small populations of genets in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland are escaped pets as these critters can fit through anything their head can fit in."[27]

[Lisbeth]

This one turned up every evening at dinner time

Greater Kruger

Genet.JPG (241.81 KiB) Viewed 1527 times

[Toko]

Chris Stuart,Tilde Stuart: Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa

[nan]

nice choice

[Toko]

Large-spotted Genet at Ntshondwe, Ithala Game Reserve

[Lisbeth]

How cute!

[aat]

Here the one who visited us in Mopani camp during our last trip:

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[nan]

Kgalagadi
20.2.2011