Genet (animal)
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 Common Genet Genetta genetta
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Genets are Old World carnivores of the family Viverridae, related to civets and linsangs. There are ten species, all contained within the genus Genetta, except the Aquatic Genet, which is housed in its own genus Osbornictis.
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[edit] Description
Genets are superficially cat-like creatures, despite being only distantly related to cats. Most of them have spotted coats and long, banded tails, small heads, and large ears. Like civets, genets have strong musk glands, which are used to mark territory, and they are known to perform handstands when doing this. Genets are highly agile creatures, and are the only Viverrids that stand bipedally.
All live exclusively in Africa except for the widespread Common Genet Genetta genetta, which can be found in Northwest Africa and throughout Europe and parts of the Middle East, including countries such as France, Spain, Portugal and the Balearic Islands. The Ibizan subspecies, G. g. isabelae is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
[edit] Domestic genets
Several species including the Common Genet and the Large Spotted Genet (G. tigrina) are increasingly kept as pets worldwide. Their curious and playful nature is akin to that of a young kitten (Felis silvestris catus), or a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). The commonality and lack of endangered status, as well as food requirements being met by commonly available cat food or ferret food lend themselves to this practice. They are also trainable to use a litterbox, much as a cat.
Domestic captive breeding programs are active in many of the 50 states of the U.S.A precipitating adoption as a pet rather than wild capture.
[edit] Species
- Genetta abyssinica -Abyssinian Genet
- Genetta angolensis - Angolan Genet
- Genetta cristata - Crested Genet (considered by some authorities to be a subspecies of the Servaline Genet)
- Genetta genetta - Common Genet, European Genet, or Small-spotted Genet
- Genetta johnstoni - Johnston's Genet
- Genetta maculata - Panther Genet
- Genetta servalina - Servaline Genet
- Genetta thierryi - Thierry's Genet or Haussa Genet
- Genetta tigrina - Large Spotted Genet or Blotched Genet
- Genetta victoriae - Giant Genet
- Osbornictis piscivora - Aquatic Genet
[edit] References
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