Genets

Common Name:   Cape Genet (Large-spotted Genet)
Binomial Name:   Genetta tigrina
Identification:   Long, slender body and tail. Usually black tail tip. Large rusty-brown to black spots. No crest along the back.
Weight:   Males +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs), females +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Gestation:   2-3 months
Young:   Litters of 2-5
Habitat:   Usually associated with well-watered areas and fairly dense vegetation.
Diet:   Invertebrates, particularly insects, are very important sources of food, as are small rodents. Reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals are taken, as well as wild fruits. Can be a problem to poultry farmers.
Red List Status:   Least Concern

Common Name:   Common Genet (Small-spotted Genet)
Binomial Name:   Genetta genetta
Identification:   Long, slender body and tail. Usually white tail tip. Small dark to black spots. Crest of longish hair on the back is raised when alarmed.
Weight:   Males +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs), females +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Gestation:   2-3 months
Young:   Litters of 2-4
Habitat:   Wide habitat tolerance, ranging from desert margins to areas with high rainfall, including woodlands, riverine margins and even isolated rocky outcrops on open plains.
Diet:   Invertebrates, particularly insects, are very important sources of food, as are small rodents. Reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals are taken, as well as wild fruits. Can be a problem to poultry farmers.
Red List Status:   Least Concern

Common Name:   Rusty-spotted Genet
Binomial Name:   Genetta maculata
Identification:   Short, whitish-grey to pale yellow fur with dark spots and a continuous dark line across the back. The spots of the upper two dorsal rows are round or square, brown in the centre and darker outside.
Weight:   Males +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs), females +/- 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Gestation:   2-3 months
Young:   Litters of 2-4
Habitat:   Present in a variety of habitats, including rainforest, swampy areas, riverine vegetation, open and closed woodlands, moist forests, savannah–forest mosaics, thickets and even grassy savannah, but avoids extremely dry savannah and truly arid regions.
Diet:   Primarily carnivorous, but will also eat vegetable matter such as fruits, seeds and berries. Mainly mammals and insects are taken, but centipedes and millipedes, spiders, scorpions, amphibians and reptiles (including lizards and snakes) as well as small birds and eggs are also hunted.
Red List Status:   Least Concern