Genet

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GENET

The genet is a nocturnal hunter. It's razor-sharp, retractable claws enable it to snare its prey. It is also a good climber and often climbs trees to catch birds. The genet belongs to the same family as the mongoose but shares many characteristics with the domestic cat. Varying slightly in color, genets have spotted, blotched, or striped markings and a graceful, catlike build. The long, bushy tail accounts for nearly half the animal's length.

Genet

HABITAT

The genet has adapted to a variety of habitats within its range. It can live in semi-desert, forest, scrubland, grassland, and savannah. During the day the genet sleeps in hollow trees or crevices. Its spotted fur provides good camouflage, so that it blends in wit the surroundings. Active by night, the genet seems to return to the same lair near dawn everyday.

BREEDING

The male and female genet come together only to mate. Although most pairs mate when seasonal rains occur, those living in temperate ranges mate year-round. More prey is available after the rains, which means that food is plentiful for the newborn.

Genet

In southern parts of the genet's range, the female may bear two litters a year. The female makes a nest in a hollow tree or among rocks, and the young are born there. They are blind at birth but open their eyes after 5 to 12 days. Their mother provides solid food for them at two months of age. The female is fiercely protective of her young . At nine months the young can hunt for themselves, but they are not fully grown until they are two years old. They become sexually mature at four years of age.

FOOD AND HUNTING

The genet is primarily a carnivore (meat eater). It eats most small animals, including rodents, birds, and insects. It hunts at night, with nocturnal moths and beetles being common prey. The genet emerges from its lair at dusk to hunt. It moves stealthily, keeping, low to the ground, with its tail stuck straight out behind. The genet stalks its prey in much the same way that a domestic cat does. It first crouches, with its belly flattened on the ground. As the animal pounces on its prey, the hairs on its bushy tail stand erect, and the genet begins to purr loudly. A skillful climber, the genet often scales trees to catch nesting roosting birds. In summer, when fruit is abundant, the genet adds pears and figs to its regular diet. It returns to familiar hunting grounds at about the same time each year.

KEY FACTS

                 Size

                     Length: Head and body, 16-24 in. Tail, 15-21 in.
                     Weight: 2-6 lb.

                 Breeding

                     Sexual Maturity: 4 years.
                     Mating Season: Year-round. Sometimes 2 litters produced in a single year
                     Gestation: 10-11 weeks
                     No. of young: 1-4, usually 2-3

                 Lifestyle

                     Habit: Generally solitary, occasionally seen in pairs.
                     Diet: Small rodents, birds insects and some fruit.
                     Lifespan: 5-15 Years
                     Related Species: There are 10 species of genet grouped in 3 genera. Civets and mongooses belong to the same family. The common genet is the only species found outside Africa

DID YOU KNOW?

One rare breed of African genet has rarely been seen in the wild. Almost all that is known about it is based on examination of skin collected by pygmy hunters.
The genet like the weasel, was once domesticated in Europe to control plagues of rodents.
The slender and loosely jointed body of a genet enables it to squeeze through any opening its head fits through.
Studies of the genet in captivity show that it uses a combination of touch, smell, hearing, memory, and eyesight to find its way at night.