Zimbabwe Seven

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Feb 01 2008 | By: admin

AFRICAN CIVET AND LARGE-SPOTTED GENET
A common misconception about these animals is that they are often referred to as cats. They are not cats however they are members of the largest and most diverse group of carnivores – viverridae. Their relatives include all members of the mongoose family as well as meerkats.

There are in fact 5 major family groups of carnivores:
1.) Felids (all cats)
2.) Canids (dogs)
3.) Hyenids (hyena family)
4.) Viverriads (genets, civets, mongooses)
5.) Mustelids (otters, weasels, polecats)

Photos of Munchkin female genet (left) and Badger, male civet (right)

(Please see the individual group descriptions in the categories for general information on both these species).

Some common characteristics between these two animals;

* Both have long tails relative to body size
* Both have well-developed perineal glands for scent marking
* Both have rounded ears (bear-like)
* Both have stripes and spots in their coats
* Both have cat-like pupils (vertically-slit)
* Both are nocturnal
* Both can purr!

Now here is where they differ:

GENET
* Have retractile claws
* Are 1/10 the size of the civet
* Have much longer tails relative to overall body length
* Prefer an arboreal habitat
* Are voracious and efficient hunters

CIVET
* Are physically the largest specimens of the viverriad family
* Have non-retractile blunt claws
* Are more opportunistic foragers than active hunters
* Have more blunt features than a genet, with more doglike broad molars

Share This