Large-spotted Genet

Genetta tigrina

Ethiopian: Genetta tigrina is found in Africa south of approximately 12 degrees North lattitude.

Head and body length ranges from 49 to 60cm and tail length from 42 to 54cm. Genetta tigrina is a short-legged, long-bodied viverrid with a white-ringed, black-tipped tail and a dorsal stripe that runs from the shoulders to the base of the tail. The color of the spots and dark markings of the pelage varies from black with a few interspersed rust-colored hairs to uniformly rust-colored. The background color of the upper parts can be white, grey, or buff. The blotched genet displays both geographic variation and polymorphism. Animals from the dryer areas of south Africa are characterized by lighter color tones and more subtle patterns, whereas those from moister areas are darker with more striking patterns. Both reddish and greyish individuals occur together within a locality and probably within a litter.

Natural History

Blotched genets eat a broad variety of food items including small rodents, birds, reptiles, fruit, and invertebrates. One study found over one half of the stomach content items of blotched genets examined to be invertebrates; the three most commonly eaten of these were Coleoptera, Orthoptera, and Isoptera, respectively. Crabs and fresh-water mussels were also found, but these are eaten infrequently. The most commonly taken mammal is the murid Praomys natalensis.

Very little is known about the reproductive patterns in Genetta tigrina . The scant birth records imply that breeding takes place throughout much of the year: There are records of gravid females in Transvaal in November, newborns in Kruger National Park in February, a suckling female in eastern Transvaal in September, and a young litter in northern Southwestern Africa/Namibia in October. Gravid and lactating females have been recorded from August through February in the South African subregion. Litter size ranges from one to five. Natal nests are found in the roofs of houses, under boulder piles, and in hollow trees. The litter does not accompany the mother on her hunts. The young remain in the natal nest until they are ready to move on their own.

Blotched genets are nocturnal and solitary. They move from their daytime rests one or two hours after sunset and are active until 0200 hours. The only social groups seen are the courting pair and the mother with young. These animals are quite arboreal; they are nimble climbers and often rest in clumps of foliage high in the tops of trees during the day. Other day rests include house roofs, farm outbuildings, hay bales, hollow trees and logs, tree roots, boulders, and abandoned antbear and springhaas burrows. Genetta tigrina often hunts in trees. It has been seen leaping to the ground from the height of several meters and can jump long distances from one tree to another. It hunts by stalking and then pouncing and kills by repeatedly biting the victim, which it holds with its front claws.

The vocalizations of blotched genets resemble those of cats. They purr, mew, hiss, and "spit." Other forms of communication include musky odors released from the anal glands of stressed animals.

Genetta tigrina is found in a broader variety of habitats than other genets. In the dryer parts of their range they are almost exclusively associated with riverine habitats. Thick cover is an essential element of their habitat; although they are seen hunting in grassland, they are much more commonly found in woodland. They do not occur in the southwestern arid zone of Africa. They are frequently found in agricultural areas, where populations of murid rodents are large.

Large-spotted Genet links:

Large-spotted Genet information page from Safaricamlive.com

Eco Travel's guide to the Large Spotted Genet

Animal Diversity Web - Large Spotted Genet Page

Lion Crusher's Domain - Genet Page

For more information contact the  Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison

This page was created by Alison Hendrix, a PJC Zoo Technology student.