| Cape genet | |
|---|---|
_(17356502041)_(crop).jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Genetta |
| Species: | G. tigrina |
| Binomial name | |
| Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1778) | |
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| Distribution of the Cape genet | |
TheCape genet (Genetta tigrina), also known as theSouth African large-spotted genet, is agenetspeciesendemic toSouth Africa. As it is common and not threatened, it is listed asLeast Concern on theIUCN Red List.[1]Like othergenets, it is nocturnal andarboreal, preferring to live in theriparian zones of forests, as long as these are not marshy areas.[2]
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.[3]Some individuals living in areas with more than 375 mm (14.8 in) annual precipitation are darker than individuals from drier areas.[4]
Measurements of adult males range from 460 to 580 mm (18 to 23 in) in head and body with a 390 to 459 mm (15.4 to 18.1 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 mm (16.8 to 22.0 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).[5]
Like in allViverrinae, itsdental formula is:3.1.4.23.1.4.2.[6]Like allgenets, it hasmusk glands andanal sacs.[7]
It differs from other genets by a short dorsal crest and poorly spotted hind legs, which are dark at the back.[8][9]
In South Africa, the Cape genet is distributed from theWestern Cape toKwaZulu-Natal, south of 32°S, and to theLesotho border.[1]It is the most widely distributed and common small carnivore in KwaZulu-Natal, and rests in large trees, rock overhangs and caves.[10]It lives in moist environments near streams, rivers and standing water, in lowland and mountainfynbos, where vegetation cover is high.[5]
Cape genets have been recorded solitary, and mostly at night. During the day, they rest in trees high above the ground. They are bothterrestrial andarboreal, but hunt and feed on the ground.[5]They mark by depositing a secretion from the anal sac.[4] It is unknown whether they areterritorial.[10] They use latrine sites to defecate.[11]
Cape genets become active after dark to search for prey. Combining speed and stealth, they dash forward in an elusive fashion, broken up by short pauses. They hiss and growl in stressful situations.Olfactory communication is most likely very important in the life of Cape genets, their social environment and life cycle. When walking on branches, they stay low and laterally swing their legs out so that any misstep is easily correctable.[12]
Cape genets feed mostly onrodents such asAfrican vlei rats,rock rats,mice and birds. Also seeds, leaves and grass was found in their stomachs, as well asbeetles,grasshoppers, crickets, locusts andtermites.[4][5]They find most of their prey in low bushes and leaf litter, includingAfrican climbing mice,multimammate mice andAfrican dormice. They are considered to be opportunisticomnivores, since they also catch and feed on insects, spiders, scorpions, and scavenge fish on the beach. Eating grass may aid digestion, dislodge hair in the intestines, induce vomiting to get rid of ingested toxins, relieve throat inflammation and stomach irritation. Birds appear to not be prevalent in their diet.[2]
Cape genets apparently mate during the warm summer months. Pregnant females were observed in September to November.[4][5] Two young weighed 70 g at birth.[5]
A captive breeding pair regularly had litters of two young.[11]Gestation periods last about 70 days. Females make nests in hollow trees, in holes or among boulders. The young open their eyes 10 days after birth, theircanine teeth break through at the age of four weeks. They are weaned at about 2.5 months and hunt on their own when about seven months old.[13]
Captive Cape genets lived for 15 years.[14]
Cape genets face no major threats. As they sometimes kill poultry, they are killed in retaliation by farmers.[15]
Cape genets have been recorded in dozens of protected areas. Outside reserves they are unprotected, and not listed in the South African Red Data Book nor any CITES appendices.[10]
The Cape genet is one of the mammalian species kept as an exotic pet.[16]
