Genet (animal)

Genets are small, carnivorous mammals from Africa, belonging to the genus *Genetta*, which includes 17 species. The common genet is the only species found in Europe, living in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France. Fossil evidence places genets in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco from the Late Miocene onward.

The genus *Genetta* was first described by Frédéric Cuvier in 1816, though experts still disagree on the exact number of species. A 2005 list proposed several valid species. Extinct species include *Genetta nyakitongwer* from the Early Pleistocene of Kenya and *Genetta plesictoides* from the Late Pleistocene of Cyprus. Genetic estimates suggest *Genetta* and the related genus *Poiana* split about 9.5 to 13.3 million years ago, while *Genetta* species began diverging at least 8.5 million years ago, starting with the Hausa genet and followed by the giant genet around 3.98 to 6.01 million years ago.

These animals are slender and cat-like, with long bodies, ringed tails nearly as long as their bodies, large ears, pointed muzzles, and partly retractile claws. Their fur is typically spotted, though melanistic (all-black) individuals occur. They possess musk glands, anal sacs, and perineal glands. A dark stripe runs along the spine, with fur color and spot patterns varying by species. Head-to-body length ranges from 40.9 to 60 cm, with tails 40 to 47 cm long. Their large eyes have elliptical pupils, and the iris color matches the fur. They can move their eyes only slightly within the sockets, relying on head movements to track objects. Their ears (pinnae) have fine hair inside and out and can rotate about 80 degrees forward, sideways, or downward. The rhinarium (nose tip) is key for both smell and touch.

All genet species are native to Africa. The common genet was introduced to southwestern Europe historically, brought from the Maghreb to Spain as a semi-domestic animal about 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, later spreading to southern France and Italy. In Africa, genets live in wooded areas north of the Sahara, savanna zones south of the Sahara down to southern Africa, and along the coasts of Arabia, Yemen, and Oman.

Genets are highly agile, quick, and excellent climbers. They are the only viverrids that can stand on their hind legs. They walk, trot, run, climb up and down trees, and jump. Though they spend time on the ground, they also live much of their lives in trees. They are solitary except during mating and when raising young. Their diet is omnivorous and opportunistic, including invertebrates, small vertebrates, plants, and fruit. Aquatic genets mainly eat fish; Angolan genets feed on grasshoppers and other arthropods; Johnston’s genet likely eats mostly insects. In 2014, a camera trap in Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park captured a large spotted genet riding on the backs of two buffalo and a rhinoceros—the first recorded instance of a genet hitchhiking. Females have up to five young per litter and raise them alone. Common genet females reach sexual maturity at two years. After mating, gestation lasts 10 to 11 weeks. They are diestrous, giving birth twice a year—once in spring and again in late summer to autumn. In captivity, common genets have lived up to 13 years, with one male surviving 22.7 years.

Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural conversion, especially for the crested servaline genet and Johnston’s genet, both listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. These species are also hunted for meat and skins. Bourlon’s genet faces similar threats and is classified as Near Threatened. The aquatic genet may be hunted, but its main threats are unclear; it is also Near Threatened. The king genet and Abyssinian genet are so poorly understood that threats cannot be identified, and both are listed as Data Deficient. All other genet species are considered Least Concern.

The word “genet” may come from the Arabic *djarnet*. English adopted it from Old French *genete*, which came from Spanish *gineta*.

Most genets kept as pets are common, rusty-spotted, or Cape genets. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prohibits keeping genets in certain states, and other states have specific exotic-pet laws. Purchase and shipment costs can exceed $1,500. Genets are not suited to captivity, and experts advise against keeping them as pets. They are solitary in the wild and do not get along well with common household pets like cats or dogs.