Genet (animal)

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For other uses, see Genet (disambiguation).
Genets
Common Genet Genetta genetta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Genetta
Species

See text.

Genets (pronounced /ˈdʒɛnɪts or dʒəˈnɛts/) are Old World mammals from the order Carnivora, suborder Feliformia, family Viverridae, and subfamily Viverrinae. They are related to civets, linsangs, fossa, and mongooses.[1] The common genet is the only viverrid present in Portugal.[2] Almost all species are contained within the genus Genetta, although the Aquatic Genet is sometimes housed in its own genus Osbornictis.

Contents

[edit] Description

Genets are feliforms, and are related to cats. Most of them have spotted coats, long, banded tails, small heads, and large ears. They are able to move through any opening that their head can fit through.[1] Like civets, genets have strong musk glands, located by the anus, which are used for territorial, sexual and social purposes.[1][3] Genets are highly agile creatures, with quick reflexes and exceptional climbing skills, and are the only viverrids that are able to stand bipedally. They are able to walk, trot, run, climb up and down trees, and jump.[4] They are nocturnal and solitary, but some pairs and family groups are occasionally seen.[5]

Males have been found to be more active than females at night because of their greater size, which indicates that males have greater energy requirements to satisfy their physiological needs. Females typically weigh less, and they have been found to be less active overall. Females' home ranges are also smaller than males'.[6] The mean annual home range of the common genet is 113 hectares (279 acres) for males and 72 hectares (178 acres) for females.[7] While males have larger home ranges in all seasons, the differences between male and females territories are most significant during the winter.[7]

Genets possess extremely long tails, typically around one to one and a half times the length of their bodies. Their bodies are typically 16.9 to 22.9 inches long, while their tails are approximately 15.4-20.9 inches long.[1] These longs tails provide a highly effective counterweight that enables them to easily maintain balance as they leap from tree limb to tree limb. However, the length of genets' tails does not necessarily correspond to them inhabiting a more woody habitat.[8] They are not strictly terrestrial, and spend much of their time in trees.[9] Genets have semi-retractable claws, which they use for climbing and holding prey, but not for fighting.[3]

Genets can move their eyes within their sockets, but eye mobility is limited; head movement is required.[10] Their ears can move via the pinna in order to locate sounds. The nose has a dual function, both olfactory and tactile perception. Smelling is aided by the rhinarium, utilized in many other mammals.[8] Adult genets typically weigh around 2.2 to 6.6 pounds, with an average weight of 4.4 pounds.[11]

[edit] Habitat

All live exclusively in Africa except for the widespread Common Genet (Genetta genetta), which can be found in Northwest Africa and Southwestern Europe, parts of the Middle East, and the Balearic Islands.[12] Habitat tolerance varies widely between species as different species prefer woodlands, savannas, and forests.[9] They prefer to live in areas with dense vegetation, such as bushes, thickets, and evergreen oak forests.[13] Genets also prefer areas with high temperatures and low rainfall.[2] It has been found that females prefer thickets, while males use trees more than females.[14] Because of their solitary natures, genets each tend to have their own territories; however, the male and female home ranges may overlap.[11]

The common genet and the wood mice share the same habitats and niches, specifically Mediterranean forests.[15] For this reason, they have physiological and ecological similarities.

The common genet was first brought to the Mediterranean region as a domestic animal approximately 1000 to 1500 years ago from Algeria, and from there, spread throughout southwestern Europe. The common genet is related to the Magrebian species of genets, which are native to western North Africa.[12]

[edit] Ecology

Genets are solitary predators and they feed on a wide spectrum of plants and animals, as they mostly feed opportunistically.[16] However, they strongly prefer animal matter.[9] Overall, they are generally considered omnivorous.[3] However, they feed often on small mammals, such as rodents, shrews, and bats.[3][17] They also eat birds, bird eggs, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, and various fruits. In some areas, they feed on poultry from farms.[3]

Genets are also prey for many animals, such as the red fox and the Northern Goshawk.[18] Other predators include owls, leopards, and pythons.[19]

[edit] Reproduction

Because genets are solitary, they mainly interact during reproduction.[11] Their home ranges are slightly larger during the spring because they are more active, not only nocturnally, but in seeking a mate. Because of their increased activity, they require more energy and are more active to acquire the necessary sustenance.[6] Once copulation has occurred, the gestation period lasts for ten to eleven weeks.[11] Genets produce two to four young, usually twice per year. Most young are born when there is a higher abundance of insects for the young to eat. However, genets are diestrous as there are two significant peaks in the number of births during the year: one during April and May and one during August, September, and October.[13]

At birth, infant genets weigh approximately 2.74 ounces.[11] Infants are able to crawl by the time they are one to two days old. Within the time span of a week, they are able to support their body by both their forelimbs and hindlegs for brief periods of time. Their coordination greatly increases within the first two weeks. Their eyes and ears remain closed for the first ten days, and they receive their first solid food at six weeks old, though they are not yet weaned.[3] They are weaned after approximately eight weeks.[11] Because male and female genets remain separate at all times except for mating, the young are reared by the mother.[3][9] The young reach sexual maturity at two years old.[11]

[edit] Domestic genets

Several species, including the Common Genet and the Large Spotted Genet, are increasingly kept as pets worldwide.[11] Their curious and playful nature is akin to that of a kitten, or a domestic ferret. They can eat standard commercial cat food or ferret food, and they can be trained to use a litter box like a cat.

Genet.jpg

Genets are inquisitive but cautious animals and are easily startled. They can be held and petted, but for the most part do not like to be restrained. They are very clean pets, generally consistent in their use of litter boxes.

Genets can be socialized to exist peacefully with other pets, such as cats and dogs, but they will attack small animal pets like birds and hamsters. The average longevity of a genet in captivity is estimated to be approximately 20 years.[citation needed] A male genet lived for 22.7 years in captivity.[20]

[edit] Status and threats

The common genet is not in danger of becoming extinct, and is listed on the IUCN Red List as of the "least concern".[21] They are plentiful throughout their home range in Africa and Europe.[11] Some minor threats include: hunting for food and fur, predator trapping for hunting management, and habitat destruction and fragmentation due to urbanization and tourism.[21] However, none of these threats are thought to be causes for major concern. Although the common genet is not endangered, it can act as an indicator of a forest's health.[22]

[edit] Species

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Jakowska, S. (2011). Genets. Retrieved September 30, 2011 from http://science.jrank.org/pages/2995/Genets.html
  2. ^ a b Galantinho, A., & Mira, A. (2009). The influence of human, livestock, and ecological features on the occurrence of genet (Genetta genetta): a case study on Mediterranean farmland [Electronic version]. Ecological Research, 24, 671-685.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Genet." African Wildlife Foundation. Retrieved 2011-11-26. http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/genet
  4. ^ Wemmer 1977, p. 13.
  5. ^ Wemmer 1977, p.1.
  6. ^ a b Camps, David (2008). Activity patterns of adult common genets Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758) in Northeastern Spain. Galemys, 20, 47-60.
  7. ^ a b Camps, David and Llobet, Llimona (2004). Space use of common genets Genetta genetta in a Mediterranean habitat of northeastern Spain: differences between sexes and seasons [Electronic version]. Acta Theriologica, 49, 491-502.
  8. ^ a b Wemmer 1977, p. 10.
  9. ^ a b c d Wemmer 1977, p. 6.
  10. ^ Wemmer 1977, p. 9.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Genetta genetta." Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2011-11-27. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Genetta_genetta.html
  12. ^ a b Rodriguez-Refojos, Cristina et al. (2011). Geographical and sexual differences in body size of common genets, Genetta genetta (Viverridae, Carnivora), in south-western Europe (Iberian Peninsula). Folía Zoológica, 60, 54-62.
  13. ^ a b Zabala & Zuberogoitia 2010, p. 89.
  14. ^ Camps 2011, p. 23.
  15. ^ Ribas, A., Felui, C., and Casanova, J.C. (2009). Distribution of the cestode Taenia parva (Taeniidae) along the digestive tract of the common genet (Genetta genetta). Helminthologia, 46, 1: 35 – 38.
  16. ^ Wemmer 1977, p. 1.
  17. ^ Virgos, Llorente, & Cortes 1999, p. 117.
  18. ^ Camps 2011, p. 28.
  19. ^ Postanowicz, Rebecca. "Common Genet." Lioncrusher.com. Retrieved 2011-11-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070930181232/http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=103
  20. ^ Weigl, Richard. Longevity of Mammals in Captivity; from the Living Collections of the World. Kleine Senckenberg-Reihe 48: Stuttgart, 2005.
  21. ^ a b Herrero, J. & Cavallini, P. 2008. Genetta genetta. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41698/0. Downloaded on 04 December 2011.
  22. ^ Sarmento, P.B., Cruz, J.P, Eira, C.I., and Fonseca, C. (2010). Habitat selection and abundance of common genets Genetta genetta using camera capture-mark-recapture data [Electronic version]. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 56, 59-66.

[edit] References

  • Camps, D. (2011). Resting site selection, characteristics and use by the common genet Genetta genetta (Linnaeus 1758) [Electronic version]. Mammalia, 75, 23-29.
  • Virgos, E., Llorente, M., & Cortes, Y. (1999). Geographical variation in genet (Genetta genetta L) diet: a literature review [Electronic version]. Mammal Review, 29(2), 117-126.
  • Wemmer, Christen M. Comparative ethology of the large spotted genet (Genetta genetta) and some related viverrids. Washington: Smithsonian Institutional Press, 1977.
  • Zabala, J. & Zuberogoitia (2010). Late summer-early winter reproduction in common genets, Genetta genetta [Electronic version]. Mammalia, 74, 89-91.
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[edit] External links

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