GenetGenet

By: Madi Mauk

Scientific Name:Genetta Tigrina / Genetta Genetta

StatisticsStatistics Size: Head and body length ranges from 49 to 60cm and tail length from Size: Head and body length ranges from 49 to 60cm and tail length from

42 to 54cm42 to 54cm Weight: 1820 g (average)Weight: 1820 g (average) Potential lifespan: Potential lifespan is about 40 years. Potential lifespan: Potential lifespan is about 40 years. Color/Appearance: A genet is a short-legged, long-bodied viverrid with a Color/Appearance: A genet is a short-legged, long-bodied viverrid with a

white-ringed, black-tipped tail and a dorsal stripe that runs from the white-ringed, black-tipped tail and a dorsal stripe that runs from the shoulders to the base of the tail. The color of the spots and dark markings shoulders to the base of the tail. The color of the spots and dark markings of the pelage varies from black with a few interspersed rust-colored hairs of the pelage varies from black with a few interspersed rust-colored hairs to uniformly rust-coloredto uniformly rust-colored

HabitatHabitat

In dryer parts they are In dryer parts they are associated with riverine associated with riverine habitatshabitats

Although they hunt in the Although they hunt in the grassland they are often grassland they are often found in woodlandfound in woodland

They are frequently found They are frequently found in agricultural areasin agricultural areas

Diet of A genetDiet of A genet Genet’s eat a broad variety such as: including small rodents, birds, Genet’s eat a broad variety such as: including small rodents, birds,

reptiles, fruit, and invertebrates. reptiles, fruit, and invertebrates. The most commonly taken mammal is the murid Praomys The most commonly taken mammal is the murid Praomys

natalensis and the woodmouse is a favorite prey of the genetnatalensis and the woodmouse is a favorite prey of the genet They also infrequently consume crabs and fresh-water musclesThey also infrequently consume crabs and fresh-water muscles They are nocturnal so they hunt at nightThey are nocturnal so they hunt at night

PredatorsPredators

They are They are incredibly incredibly quick animals quick animals but they are but they are prey to owls prey to owls and leopardsand leopards

Human interactionHuman interaction

Several species including the common genet and the large large spotted genetspotted genet are increasingly kept as pets worldwide

They can be held and petted, but for the most part do not like to be restrained

They do not usually bond with a They do not usually bond with a group, but only a few peoplegroup, but only a few people

Behavior Behavior The Genet are nocturnal, but can be seen the daytime hours during the rainy season. The Genet are nocturnal, but can be seen the daytime hours during the rainy season.

They climb the trees for birds and eggs, but also hunt on the ground. The Genet can They climb the trees for birds and eggs, but also hunt on the ground. The Genet can fit through anything they can get their head through, which is bad news for the fit through anything they can get their head through, which is bad news for the burrowing rodents and other prey. The Genet are usually solitary, and do not gather burrowing rodents and other prey. The Genet are usually solitary, and do not gather with others of their species except for mating. with others of their species except for mating.

The Genet are easily startled and are cautious by nature. It is nearly impossible to The Genet are easily startled and are cautious by nature. It is nearly impossible to restrain a Genet. the Genet is also a very clean animal and will groom themselves restrain a Genet. the Genet is also a very clean animal and will groom themselves like a cat. They also make cat-like noises such as purrs, hisses, and meows, among like a cat. They also make cat-like noises such as purrs, hisses, and meows, among other noises. The Genet has retractable claws, but rarely sees them for defense. other noises. The Genet has retractable claws, but rarely sees them for defense. Instead, they are used for tree climbing and to hold down prey. Instead, they are used for tree climbing and to hold down prey.

reproductionreproduction

The breeding season of the The breeding season of the small spotted genet occurs only during small spotted genet occurs only during the rainy seasons. Males and females the rainy seasons. Males and females will utter high-pitched meows during will utter high-pitched meows during copulation, which last approximately copulation, which last approximately five minutes. However, foreplay before five minutes. However, foreplay before and after can last up to an hour. Once and after can last up to an hour. Once the female has ended her estrus cycle, the female has ended her estrus cycle, she is left alone to care for the she is left alone to care for the developing young. After a gestation developing young. After a gestation period of about 10-12 weeks, 1-3 period of about 10-12 weeks, 1-3 kittens are born. They are blind and kittens are born. They are blind and deaf when born. They nurse and stay deaf when born. They nurse and stay with the mother for a period of 7-8 with the mother for a period of 7-8 months before defending themselves. months before defending themselves. Maturity is reached at 2 years. Genets Maturity is reached at 2 years. Genets have a lifespan of approximately 8-10 have a lifespan of approximately 8-10 years. years.

Work CitedWork Cited

http://www.worldtoafricahunting.com/pebble.asp?relid=83http://www.worldtoafricahunting.com/pebble.asp?relid=83 http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&prodId=Ghttp://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&prodId=G

VRL&userGroupName=peta68453&resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&contentSeVRL&userGroupName=peta68453&resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&contentSegment=&docId=GALE|CX3406700885#339gment=&docId=GALE|CX3406700885#339

http://www.aquarticles.com/images/Africa/Part_2/s38%http://www.aquarticles.com/images/Africa/Part_2/s38% 20Spotted%20genet%20eating_P.jpg20Spotted%20genet%20eating_P.jpg http://www.parsiblog.com/PhotoAlbum/animal3/Genet.jpghttp://www.parsiblog.com/PhotoAlbum/animal3/Genet.jpg http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTCjW-http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTCjW-

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