African Genets are nocturnal animals often seen as pests and targeted by local communities. Game hunting for genets usually forms part of a larger hunt for other animals, and the most common method of hunting genet in Africa is by using spotlights. The genet is listed with a status of “least concern” by the IUCN.
The African genet (Genetta genetta) is also known as the common genet. It is a long, lean carnivore that closely resembles a cat with a tail that is as long as, if not longer than, its body. Genets are found in more than 25 African countries and are often seen as pests and hunted for their fur, which forms part of local tribes’ traditional clothing. They are found north of the Sahara, in savanna zones south of the Sahara to southern Africa, and along the coast of Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In South Africa, the genet is found in the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal, right up to the Lesotho border.
When hunting genets in Africa, look for them in their preferred habitats, including dense vegetation, such as woodlands, savannas, forests, and farmlands. They are known to avoid open habitats.
The common genet is a nocturnal, solitary animal that is most active soon after sunset and before sunrise. During the day, they tend to rest in trees, caves, or thickets and often use the same resting places, which is a tip to note for those on a genet hunting safari as it makes them easier to spot and stalk.
Young kits are cuddly and affectionate, as is natural for most mammal babies. However, as they mature, adult genets revert to their solitary state and may become aggressive, particularly around food.
Genets are extremely agile and have retractable claws adapted to climbing and catching prey. Their diet can include small mammals, especially rodents, shrews, and bats, as well as birds and their eggs, frogs, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and various fruits. Genets are not usually aggressive but can become so when challenged for food sources.
Adults prefer a solitary life except during courtship or when young genets accompany their mothers. Females can have up to two litters a year, with each litter producing two to four kittens. As the kittens mature and become independent, the genets return to their solitary lifestyle.
Apart from local communities and hunters on a hunting safari, predators for the genet includes large owls, honey badgers, servals, leopards, and caracals. An interesting fact about genets is that when they are angry, hurt, or scared, they can squirt and release a nasty, foul-smelling substance to discourage enemies.
