Cape genet
| Cape genet | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Genetta |
| Species: | G. tigrina |
| Binomial name | |
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Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1778) |
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The Cape genet (Genetta tigrina), also known as the South African large-spotted genet, is a genet species endemic to South Africa. As it is common and not threatened, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Like other genets, it is nocturnal and arboreal, preferring to live in the riparian zones of forests, as long as these are not marshy areas.
The Cape genet is ash grey with brown irregular spots and a black stripe along the spine. Its muzzle is white, and it has white spots below the eye. Its ears are grey. Its tail is black and white banded with a black tip. Some individuals living in areas with more than 375 mm (14.8 in) annual precipitation are darker than individuals from drier areas.
Measurements of adult males range from 460 to 580 mm (18 to 23 in) in head and body with a 390 to 459 cm (154 to 181 in) long tail and a weight of 1.6 to 2.1 kg (3.5 to 4.6 lb). Adult females range from 427 to 560 cm (168 to 220 in) in head and body with a 385 to 432 mm (15.2 to 17.0 in) long tail and a weight of 1.36 to 1.870 kg (3.00 to 4.12 lb).
Like in all Viverrinae, its dental formula is: 3.1.4.23.1.4.2. Like all genets, it has musk glands and anal sacs.
It differs from other genets by a short dorsal crest and poorly spotted hind legs, which are dark at the back.
Cape genets are distributed from the Western Cape of South Africa to KwaZulu-Natal, south of 32°S, and to the Lesotho border. Also found in areas of the Freestate They live in moist environments near streams, rivers and standing water, in lowland and mountain fynbos, where vegetation cover is high. They are the most widely distributed and common carnivores in KwaZulu-Natal. They rest in large trees, rock overhangs and caves.
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Wikipedia