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Genetta tigrina

Genetta tigrina (*)

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Theria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Ordo: Carnivora
Subordo: Feliformia
Familia: Viverridae
Subfamilia: Viverrinae
Genus: Genetta
Species: Genetta tigrina
Subspecies: G. t. methi - G. t. tigrina

Name

Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1776)

References

* Genetta tigrina on Mammal Species of the World.
Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2 Volume Set edited by Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder
* IUCN link: Genetta tigrina (Schreber, 1776) (Least Concern)


Vernacular names
English: Cape Genet
Polski: Żeneta wielkoplama

The Cape Genet (Genetta tigrina), also known as the Blotched Genet, Large-spotted Genet or Muskeljaakat in Afrikaans, is a carnivore mammal, related to the African Linsang and to the civets. It can be found in Africa from Senegal to Somalia, and south to Namibia and South Africa, though it is absent from the continent's south-western arid zones. Like other genets, it is nocturnal and arboreal.

Similar in appearance to the Common Genet (G. genetta), the Cape Genet has yellowish-grey fur with rust-coloured and black rosettes, with a black and white tail. Individuals from drier areas of South Africa tend to have lighter colours and less stark patterns, while the opposite is the case in moister areas. Melanistic individuals are known.

Its diet is varied, and includes rodents, birds, reptiles, fruit, and invertebrates. Like all viverrids, it has strong scent glands which it uses to mark its territory.

The Cape Genet is one of the species of genet kept as an exotic pet, in the U.S.A. and elsewhere.

References

1. ^ Gaubert, P. & Hoffmann, M. (2008). Genetta tigrina. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern.

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Source: Wikipedia, Wikispecies: All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License