Genetta cristata
Classification Description Range Diet Reproduction Behavior
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Viverridae
Genus:
Genetta
Species: cristata
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Once considered to be a subspecies of the servaline genet, the IUCN/SSC Mustelid and Viverrid Specialist Group declared the crested genet to be a full species in 1994. The crested genet is similar in appearance to the common genet. The ground color of the crested genet is a pale oatmeal color. The dorsal pelage contains large black spots that are regularly spaced and run in longitudinal rows. The spots become smaller and and more randomly spaced towards the belly, while the chest and throat have only a few small random spots. Crested genets have a conspicuous black mid-dorsal stripe running from just behind the shoulders to the base of the tail. Another identifying characteristic of the crested genet is the small nuchal crest that runs along the median line of the neck. It is composed of short hairs which run in the the opposite direction of the surrounding hairs. Crested genets grow to be about 19-20 inches in length with a 17 inch long tail. They weigh approximately 2.2-4.4 pounds.
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The crested genet inhabits the rainforests in southern Cameroon and southeastern Nigeria. It occurs in a minimum area of approximately 1150 square miles in the Niger Delta alone.
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The diet of Genetta species consists of small animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. They may also eat fruits, berries, and sometimes carrion. Genets will climb trees to prey on roosting and nesting birds, but much of their food is captured on the ground.
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Genets become sexually mature at around two years of age. They breed year round and have a gestation period of 56-77 days. Crested genets will then give birth to between one and four young, however the average is two or three.
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Genet species are nocturnal, usually spending most of their day in a rock crevice, in a burrow dug by another animal, in a hollow tree, or on a large branch. They seem to return to the same shelter each day. Genet species have been seen alone or in pairs. They are agile climbers, spending most of their time in high places. Crested genets are also extremely nimble and fast animals, easily pursuing and pouncing on on small insects, frogs, and lizards. Little else is known about the crested genet because of its quiet secretive nature.
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Additional Sites:
For more information contact the Small Carnivore Tag Education Liaison
Page created by
Kira Engel
Pensacola Junior College Zoo Tech student
Fall
2005