Genet (animal)

A genet is a slender, cat-like carnivoran belonging to the genus *Genetta*. This genus includes 17 different species of small animals.

While most genets are found in Africa, the common genet (*G. genetta*) also lives in Europe. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France.

Scientists have discovered genet fossils from the Late Miocene period. These ancient remains were found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco. The genus *Genetta* was formally named and described by Frédéric Cuvier in 1816. Today, scientists still debate exactly how many valid species exist within the group.

Genets possess several specialized physical traits for survival. They have long, slender bodies and long, ringed tails.

Their fur is typically spotted, though some individuals are melanistic, meaning they have much darker coloring. Every species has a dark stripe running along its spine. Their eyes are large with elliptical pupils, which helps them focus on moving objects.

They can even move their eyes within their sockets to a limited extent. Their ears, or pinnae, are covered in fine hair. These ears can move about 80 degrees from pointing forward to the side. They can also move from an erect position to pointing downwards.

These animals are highly agile and possess exceptional climbing skills.

They can walk, trot, run, jump, and climb both up and down trees. Interestingly, genets are the only viverrids capable of standing on their hind legs. They are generally solitary animals. They only come together during mating or when a female is raising offspring. In 2014, a camera trap in South Africa recorded a surprising behavior.

A large spotted genet was seen hitch-hiking on the backs of a buffalo and a rhinoceros.

Genets are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Most species catch invertebrates and small vertebrates, but they also eat fruit. However, diets vary significantly between different species.

The aquatic genet (*G. piscivora*) lives in rainforests and feeds mainly on fish. The Angolan genet (*G. angolensis*) is thought to eat grasshoppers and other arthropods. Meanwhile, the Johnston's genet (*G. johnstoni*) likely feeds mostly on insects. These dietary differences allow various species to coexist in different environments.

There are many distinct types of genets living in diverse habitats.

The Abyssinian genet lives in montane dry forests up to 3,750 meters high. The giant forest genet inhabits rainforests, while the Cape genet lives in fynbos, grassland, and coastal forests.

Other species, like the small-spotted genet, prefer woodland savanna or thickets.

Each species has adapted to its specific home, from dense rainforests to dry vlei areas.

Reproduction and lifespan also vary. A female common genet can have a litter of up to five young.

She rears these young entirely by herself. The gestation period, or the time the young spend inside the mother, lasts 10 to 11 weeks. Common genets are diestrous, meaning they give birth twice a year. This usually happens in the spring and again in the late summer or autumn. In captivity, common genets can live a long time. One male was recorded living for 22.7 years.

Many genet species face serious threats in the wild.

The crested servaline genet and Johnston's genet are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Their main problems are habitat loss from deforestation and turning land into farms. They are also hunted for their meat and skins.

The Bourlon's genet is classified as Near Threatened. The aquatic genet is also listed as Near Threatened. Some species, like the king genet, are listed as Data Deficient because they are so poorly known.