Common genet
Small genet
The small genet ( Genetta genetta ), also known as European genet, is a genet - type, which was described by Linnaeus in 1758 for the first time.
Appearance
The genet is about as big as a house cat, but elongated with a head-body length of about 50 centimeters and a tail length of about 45 centimeters. The coat has a gray-brown color, on the black spots arranged in longitudinal rows. The tail is quite long, bushy and black banded. The snout is pointed, the legs are short and the ears large. The claws are short and can feed itself. The animal has a strong musky odor.
Distribution and habitats
The small genet is in Africa, the Iberian Peninsula and in the Near East before ( Arabian Peninsula ).
In Africa, three separate distribution areas are populated: The northern edge of the Sahara (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya), Savannah areas in a wide belt of sub-Saharan West to East Africa and southern Africa. Inhabits also coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
Stocks in Europe are considered to be man- introduced here the kind in Portugal and Spain and southern France is widespread. The altitudinal distribution extends up to 2,600 m in the High Atlas (Morocco ) and at least 3,000 m in the highlands of Ethiopia. In central Spain, a maximum of 1,400 m can be achieved.
The spectrum of the occupied habitats is very wide. Trees and shrubs or rocks are often present, are inhabited mainly different types of forests and bushland. The species is often found near human settlements, dense rainforest and extremely arid regions, however, seems to be avoided. In Europe, make oak woods and olive groves typical habitats dar.
Due to the large area of distribution and frequency of the kind, it will on the part of IUCN considered not at risk.
Behavior
Small stain - genets are excellent jumpers and climbers who can move on thorny branches without injury. The nocturnal and shy animals usually live alone, very rare only in family groups. Daytime sleep genets in hiding, at night they go hunting. They capture, among other rodents, birds, reptiles and fish, Scavenging and rob nests. Occasionally they also eat insects and berries. The gestation period of genets is ten to twelve weeks per litter are two to four cubs in the world. They are naked and blind. After a year they leave their mother. Genets give similar noises like cats about you: growl when energized, hissing as a threat, purr when they feel comfortable, and meowing.