Genetta

Genetta is a genus of small African carnivorans, family Viverridae, commonly called genets, comprising 17 species all indigenous to Africa; the common genet was also historically introduced to southwestern Europe, occurring in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and France. Genets are slender, cat-like animals with elongated bodies, long ringed tails nearly as long as the head and body combined, large ears, pointed muzzles and large eyes with elliptical pupils; head-to-body length ranges from about 40.9 to 60 centimeters. All species show a dark stripe along the spine over spotted fur, though melanistic individuals occur, have partly retractile claws, and possess musk glands and anal sacs used for scent marking.