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Species
Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758)
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
The viverrids are commonly regarded as the closest living mammals to the extinct common ancestor of the carnivores. Although the genets are very catlike, they also display some primitive features of this ancestor, making them an interesting study for people interested in carnivore evolution. It is suggested that others interested in this topic also research the civets, palm civets and linsangs for more information on viverrids.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
Genets are carnivorous and eat most small animals that they can catch, such as rats, mice, insects, small reptiles, and birds.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 21.6 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 14.0 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: captivity: 13.0 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 34.0 years.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
Maximum longevity: 22.7 years (captivity) Observations: They appear to attain adult weight at about 2 years of age. One captive female was sexually mature at 4 years of age (Ronald Nowak 1999), but anecdotal reports suggest they may become sexually mature at earlier ages. In captivity, one male was at least 22.7 years old when he died (Richard Weigl 2005). There is one report suggesting they may live up to 34 years (David Macdonald 1985), which is unlikely.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes |
Source | http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Genetta_genetta |
Genet females come into heat during the wet season(s). Copulation, which follows a foreplay lasting up to an hour, takes only five minutes, during which both the male and the female utter "meows." Gestation is usually 10-11 weeks long, and the female usually gives birth to one to three kittens. Young are born blind and helpless. They are weaned around eight weeks, though they take small amounts of solid food before that. Kits are sexually mature at two years.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 77.75 g.
Average gestation period: 78 days.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 1479 days.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
The common genet is still plentiful throughout its range and seems to have little to fear in the future.
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Genetta_genetta/ |
Red List Criteria
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
Justification
History
-
Least Concern (LC)
-
1996Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41698 |
Native, resident ?
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Bibliotheca Alexandrina, BA Cultnat, Bibliotheca Alexandrina - EOL Ar |
Source | http://lifedesk.bibalex.org/ba/pages/486 |
Population
Population Trend
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41698 |