Quick stats of the Small spotted Genet

• Diet: - Carnivore
• Overall Length: - 0.96 m
• Weight: - Male & Female - 2.2 kg
• Lifespan - 10 years

Description

The Small-spotted Genet (Genetta genetta) and the Rusty or Large-spotted Genet (Genetta tigrina) are also widely distributed in southern Africa, but are less common than the civet.

They have long tails and their shaggy coats are spotted and striped with bold patches and blobs of black and white which offer excellent camouflage. These small animals have a mass of about two kilograms and a shoulder height of about 150 millimeters.

They are not often seen as they are most active at night where they hunt on any small creatures such as mice, rats, birds, lizards and insects. By day, they hide in sheltered crevices, hollow logs, old burrows or in thick masses of shaded vegetation.

After a gestation period of around 75 days, 2-4 young are born.

Other Names for the Small spotted Genet

• Klienkolmuskejaatkat
• Common Genet
• European Genet

Distribution

Distribution map of the Small Spotted Genet

Taxonomy of the Small spotted Genet

• Order - Carnivora
• Family - Viverridae
• Sub Family - Viverrinae
• Genus - Genetta
• Species - Genetta genetta