The feline-like predator from an old lineage

This secretive animal mews like a cat but is hunted for its fur or skin.

By Annette J Beveridge

GROWING to the size of a small cat and often mistaken for a feline, this enigmatic nocturnal creature is an elusive but skilled predator.

Genets are small carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Viverridae which also contains civets. Most species of genet have the same ability as cats to retract their claws and will adopt cat-like behaviour such as arching its back and hissing when feeling defensive.

Adult genets will also mew during copulation and kittens purr so no wonder this elusive animal is mistakenly considered a part of the cat family. Genets have small heads, a pointed muzzle with a black and white pattern. The body is a grey, brown colour and has distinctive spots and stripes. It has a bushy ringed tail.

The common genet ranges across parts of Southern Africa, across a band of sub-Saharan Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. Genets are also found throughout the Iberian Peninsula, and in southern and western France.

Genets have many predators including large owls, leopards, servals and caracals. Humans will also hunt these animals for food, skin or fur. They are also targeted for taking livestock.

In Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, common genets have legal protection.

Genets prefer Mediterranean oak and pine woodlands, scrubland, and rocky areas, with a water source. Prey include mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and fish. Its diet is often supplemented with insects, fruit, and mushrooms.

Genets are often described as quiet animals, but will vocalise occasionally. Females make a hiccupping sound to the young. Across Europe, genets are able to breed all year round, but a litter of up to four young are likely to be born between April and September.

The kits are blind at birth.

A vegetation-lined nest in a tree or burrow is created and after birth, about eight days later, the eyes open and the young start to emerge from the nest. Genets are weaned at six months and become independent after a year. They are sexually mature at two years of age.

Although genets spend much of their time on the ground, they are excellent climbers and will search the treetops for birds. These are primarily nocturnal animals and due to their small size, they rest during the day in a sheltered or abandoned burrow, even creeping into small crevices where necessary.

Female genets tend to be more territorial than the males and have territories up to 72ha. Males have a larger territory - up to 113ha.

Genets possibly have an ancient feline lineage, but the oddest member of the Viverridae family is the highly arboreal fossa from Madagascar which preys on lemurs. More about the Fossa in this month’s Wild Insights.

Sign up today.

Join our Wild Insights Membership and get 70% off in your first year