Genetta tigrina
Rusty-Spotted Genet
Blotched genets
Afrikaans : Grootkolmuskejaartkat
Genets are relatives of the civet, although they look deceptively like a cat. Genetta tigrina is a short-legged, long-bodied viverrid with a white-ringed, black-tipped tail and a dorsal stripe that runs from the shoulders to the base of the tail. On either side of the dorsal stripe are rows of large spots that may be reddish or a much darker rusty brown. The upper parts range from pale grey through yellow to light russet. Both reddish and greyish individuals occur together within a locality and probably within a litter. The face is strongly patterned, with a whitish chin and whitish bands running from forehead to inner side of each eye. Head and body length ranges from 49 to 60cm and tail length from 42 to 54c and the mass is 1,9 kg.
It is mainly nocturnal and holes up during the day in a hollow tree or log or in the disused burrow of an aardvark or spring hare. It seeks the shelter of the highest clumps of foliage where it will rest in the forks of branches, making it a difficult animal to spot. It is frequently seen near rivers, dams and lakes, and has a slinking gait, with its head held low. To get a better look at the surrounding countryside it sometimes sits down in a 'begging' position with its outstretched tail providing balance It easily scales trees when hunting for food or when being pursued When alarmed, it bounds away towards cover.
Large spotted genets are solitary. They move from their daytime rests one or two hours after sunset and are active until 0200 hours. The only social groups seen are the courting pair and the mother with young.
Gender differences:
The sexes look the same.
Habitat:
Genetta tigrina is found in a broader variety of habitats than other genets. Thick cover is an essential element of their habitat; although they are seen hunting in grassland, they are much more commonly found in woodland. They live in well-watered country, especially the area of rivers and like the cover of high grass, reeds, bushes and trees. In the dryer parts of their range they are almost exclusively associated with riverine habitats.
Diet:
Large spotted genets eat a broad variety of food items including small rodents, birds, reptiles, fruit, and invertebrates. Genetta tigrina often hunts in trees. It has been seen leaping to the ground from the height of several meters and can jump long distances from one tree to another. It hunts by stalking and then pouncing and kills by repeatedly biting the victim, which it holds with its front claws.
Its normal method of hunting is by stalking the prey and then pouncing.
Reproduction:
Very little is known about the reproductive patterns in Genetta tigrina . The scant birth records imply that breeding takes place throughout much of the year, but mainly in spring and summer. Litter size ranges from one to five: an average of three young are born. The litter does not accompany the mother on her hunts. The young remain in the natal nest until they are ready to move on their own.
Other:
They resemble the small spotted genet, which is very similar in size. The large-spotted species has shorter, softer hair, its spots usually are bigger, fewer and more elongated and the tip of its tail is black, not white.
The vocalizations of large spotted genets resemble those of cats. They purr, mew, hiss, and 'spit.' Other forms of communication include musky odors released from the anal glands of stressed animals.
More information on genet species:
Although catlike in appearance and habit, the genet is not a cat but a member of the family Viverridae, which also includes civets and mongooses. While the civet and mongoose branches of this family are mainly terrestrial, the genet has adapted to a more arboreal life.
Genets were kept as pets by the ancient Egyptians as they are today by Berbers in North Africa. From the Greek empire to the Middle Ages, the genet was kept as a rat catcher and was often portrayed on tapestries of the period. The domestic cat eventually replaced the genet, probably because it is more efficient at killing rats-and perhaps because it is less smelly.
Despite their pointed noses and short legs, genets do have some superficial resemblances to cats and may have had a common ancestor. They have, for example, retractable claws that are adapted to climbing and catching prey. The genet arches its back and grooms itself in much the same way as a cat. It also purrs, hisses, spits and meows, but makes an uncatlike 'churring' sound when distressed. They are extremely flexible and can enter very small spaces.
The genet, like the civet, has several scent glands that produce secretions to convey various messages about its sexual, social or territorial behavior. When angry, frightened or injured, the genet also secretes a powerful, foul-smelling secretion from its anal glands that deters enemies.
Genets have the reputation of being wasteful killers, often eating just the head or breast of their prey. Some species have adapted to cultivated areas and human settlements, where they have developed a taste for poultry. While humans are the genet's biggest predator, the young are threatened by all predators, including hawks.
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