| Letaba genet | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Genetta |
| Species: | G. letabae |
| Binomial name | |
| Genetta letabae Thomas and Schwann, 1906 | |
| Synonyms | |
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TheLetaba genet (Genetta letabae) is agenet native toLesotho,Mozambique,Namibia,South Africa andEswatini. It is the only species of genet that occurs inLesotho andEswatini. It was first described in 1906 byOldfield Thomas and Harold Swann based on a specimen from South Africa. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of therusty-spotted genet and was recognised as a distinct species in 2005.
The Letaba genet was firstdescribed in 1906 byOldfield Thomas andHarold Schwann on the basis of azoological specimen collected inKnysna, South Africa.[1] It was initially classified as a subspecies of therusty-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), but was re-classified in 2005 as a distinct species under the nameGenetta letabae.[2]
Letaba genet is agenet native toLesotho,Mozambique,Namibia,South Africa andEswatini. It is the only species of genet that occurs inLesotho andEswatini. It inhabits woodlands, forests, and grasslands across the range.[2]
Letaba genet has ground colored fur across the body with spots. The fur gets darker on the posterior regions, with the reduction in the number of spots. The body is 1.1 to 1.4 times longer than the tail. The tail consists of shorter tail hair, six to nine circular rings, and ends in a dark tip. The skull size is similar to rusty-spotted genet, while the Letaba genet has wider space between the eyes.[2] The feet are darker, with depressions in the feet. The females have two pairs of teats[2]