Genet (animal)
Small African carnivorans with spotted fur and ringed tails.
Genets are members of the genus Genetta, comprising 17 species of small African carnivorans. The common genet is the only genet present in Europe, occurring in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France. Genet fossils from the Late Miocene and later have been found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco.
- Scientific name
- Genetta
- Number of species
- 17 (controversial)
- Earliest fossil record
- Late Miocene
- Distribution
- Africa, southwestern Europe, Arabia
- Conservation status
- Varies from Least Concern to Vulnerable
- Known for
- Slender cat-like body, ringed tail, climbing skills
Lore & Background
The number of species in the genus is controversial. Genetta and Poiana are estimated to have diverged about 9.5 to 13.3 million years ago. Genetta species are estimated to have diverged at least 8.5 million years ago, starting with the Hausa genet, followed by the giant genet 3.98 to 6.01 million years ago. Extinct species include Genetta nyakitongwer from the Early Pleistocene of Kenya and Genetta plesictoides from the Late Pleistocene of Cyprus.
Reader's Guide
Genets are significant as the only viverrids able to stand on their hind legs, and they are highly agile climbers. They are omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, small vertebrates, plants, and fruit, with some species like the aquatic genet specializing in fish. In 2014, a camera trap in Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park captured a large spotted genet riding on the backs of buffalo and a rhinoceros, the first recorded instance of hitch-hiking. Threats include habitat loss and hunting, with the crested servaline genet, Johnston's genet, and Bourlon's genet listed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened. In captivity, genets are not suited to life as pets and are prohibited in certain US states.
Did You Know?
- Genets are the only viverrids able to stand on their hind legs.
- A camera trap in 2014 captured a genet riding on the backs of two buffalo and a rhinoceros.
- A male genet lived for 22.7 years in captivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Genet (animal)?
Genets are a group of small, cat-like carnivorous mammals that make up the genus Genetta. They are primarily African animals, though one species also ranges into parts of southwestern Europe and Arabia.
How many genet species are there?
Taxonomists currently recognize 17 species within the genus, although that exact number is still debated. The common genet is the sole representative found in Europe, inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France.
What physical traits make genets stand out?
They have a slender, feline body covered in spotted fur and a long tail banded with alternating dark and light rings. Their notable climbing agility is another trait that sets them apart among small carnivorans.
How far back does the genet fossil record go?
The earliest known genet fossils date to the Late Miocene epoch, with specimens recovered from sites in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco. This places the lineage in Africa for several million years before the present.
Are all genet species equally threatened?
No—conservation designations span a wide range, from Least Concern all the way up to Vulnerable, depending on the individual species. Because the 17 species face different pressures, no single status applies to the genus as a whole.
More in Carnivores And Insectivores 1-17
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