The common genet is a small slender viverrid native to Africa that was brought to southwestern Europe. It is widely distributed north of the Sahara, in savanna south of the Sahara to southern Africa and along the coast of Arabia, Yemen and Oman. The body is 43 to 55 centimetres long with a tail of 33 to 52 centimetres, males average about 2 kilograms and are roughly ten percent larger than females, and the soft dense pale grey coat bears black spots in about five rows, a black stripe down the back, a striped tail with eight to thirteen rings and an erectile crest. It prefers dense vegetation such as bushes, thickets and evergreen oak forest, rests by day in hollow trees or among thickets, is solitary, and is active at night and around dusk and dawn. It was introduced to the Mediterranean region from the Maghreb about 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, and it is listed as Least Concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) ThreatsOther or No Known Threats 2 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitatQuote, Distribution and habitat
The common genet is common in Morocco and Algeria, but rare in Libya, Egypt and Zambia.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In North Africa, the common genet occurs along the western Mediterranean coast, and in a broad band from Senegal and Mauritania in the west throughout the savannah zone south of the Sahara to Somalia and Tanzania in the east.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitatQuote, Distribution and habitat
The common genet is common in Morocco and Algeria, but rare in Libya, Egypt and Zambia.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it livesQuote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
On the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded in coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it livesQuote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
On the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded in coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In North Africa, the common genet occurs along the western Mediterranean coast, and in a broad band from Senegal and Mauritania in the west throughout the savannah zone south of the Sahara to Somalia and Tanzania in the east.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In North Africa, the common genet occurs along the western Mediterranean coast, and in a broad band from Senegal and Mauritania in the west throughout the savannah zone south of the Sahara to Somalia and Tanzania in the east.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In North Africa, the common genet occurs along the western Mediterranean coast, and in a broad band from Senegal and Mauritania in the west throughout the savannah zone south of the Sahara to Somalia and Tanzania in the east.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Common genet (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it livesQuote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
On the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded in coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Genetta genetta (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyFood HabitsQuote, Food Habits
Genets are carnivorous and eat most small animals that they can catch
2. Common genet (Wikipedia)
Lead
The common genet (Genetta genetta) is a small viverrid indigenous to Africa that was introduced to southwestern Europe.
Lead, conservation status
It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Lead, system
It is widely distributed north of the Sahara, in savanna zones south of the Sahara to southern Africa and along the coast of Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Ecology and behaviour
Adults are nocturnal and crepuscular, with their highest levels of activity following sunset and just prior to sunrise; juveniles may be active during the day.
Distribution and habitat
The common genet is common in Morocco and Algeria, but rare in Libya, Egypt and Zambia.
Distribution and habitat, where it lives
On the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded in coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
In North Africa, the common genet occurs along the western Mediterranean coast, and in a broad band from Senegal and Mauritania in the west throughout the savannah zone south of the Sahara to Somalia and Tanzania in the east.
Ecology and behaviour, diet
The common genet has a varied diet comprising small mammals, lizards, birds, bird eggs, amphibians, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, insects and fruit, including figs and olives.
Ecology
Adults are nocturnal and crepuscular
Threats and conservation
In North Africa and some localities in southern Africa, they are hunted for their fur.
Threats and conservation, threats
No major threats to common genets are known.
View the Source3. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Genetta genetta
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, maximum longevity
22.7 years (captivity)
Life history traits, adult weight
1,867 g
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