🐾 What Is a Genet?
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- Scientific Genus: Genetta
- Family: Viverridae (same as civets and binturongs)
- Species Count: Around 17 recognized species, including:
- Genetta genetta (Common Genet)
- Genetta tigrina (Cape Genet)
- Genetta servalina (Servaline Genet)
- Genetta piscivora (Aquatic Genet)
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
- Found across sub-Saharan Africa, with the Common Genet also present in Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Italy, France)
- Thrive in forests, savannahs, scrublands, and even near human settlements
- Prefer areas near water sources like rivers and streams
🦴 Physical Traits
- Size: 40–60 cm body length, plus a tail of equal or greater length
- Weight: 1–3 kg (2–7 lbs)
- Appearance: Slender body, long ringed tail, pointed muzzle, large ears, and spotted fur
- Unique Features:
- Partly retractable claws
- Musk and perineal glands for scent marking
- Can stand on hind legs to reach food.
🍽️ Diet & Behavior
- Omnivorous: Eat insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruit, and eggs
- Arboreal & Terrestrial: Skilled climbers, but also hunt on the ground
- Nocturnal: Most active at night, using stealth and agility to hunt
- Solitary: Typically live alone, though some species tolerate overlapping territories
🐣 Reproduction
- Gestation: About 75 days
- Litter Size: 1–4 young
- Development: Eyes open after 10 days; young are weaned by 6–8 weeks
🛡️ Conservation & Challenges
- Most species are listed as Least Concern, but some, like Genetta bourloni (Bourlon’s Genet), are Vulnerable
- Threats include:
- Habitat loss
- Retaliatory killing (especially in areas where they prey on poultry)
- Use of hides and tails in traditional clothing
🧠 Fun Facts
- Genets are not cats, though they look like them—they’re more closely related to mongooses and civets
- They can leap between trees, twist mid-air, and land with precision
- Some species have melanistic (black) variants, making them even more mysterious
- You can contact us for more details if you are interested in this exotic pet.
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