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Genet (animal)
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Genets are Old World carnivores of the family Viverridae, related to civets and linsangs. All species are contained within the genus Genetta, although the Aquatic Genet, is sometimes housed in its own genus Osbornictis.
Description
Genets are superficially cat-like creatures, despite being only distantly related to cats. Most of them have spotted coats and long, banded tails, small heads, and large ears.
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Genets are Old World carnivores of the family Viverridae, related to civets and linsangs. All species are contained within the genus Genetta, although the Aquatic Genet, is sometimes housed in its own genus Osbornictis.
Description
Genets are superficially cat-like creatures, despite being only distantly related to cats. Most of them have spotted coats and long, banded tails, small heads, and large ears. Like civets, genets have strong musk glands, which are used to mark territory, and they are known to perform handstands when doing this. Genets are highly agile creatures, and are the only Viverrids that stand bipedally.
All live exclusively in Africa except for the widespread Common Genet Genetta genetta, which can be found in Northwest Africa and throughout Europe, parts of the Middle East, and the Balearic Islands. The Ibizan subspecies, G. g. isabelae is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Domestic genets
Several species including the Common Genet and the Large Spotted Genet (G. tigrina) are increasingly kept as pets worldwide. Their curious and playful nature is akin to that of a young kitten (Felis silvestris catus), or a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). The commonality and lack of endangered status, as well as food requirements being met by commonly available cat food or ferret food lend themselves to this practice. They are also trainable to use a litterbox, like a cat.
Genets are inquisitive, but very cautious animals, and are easily startled. Even those who have been pets for their entire lives can be easily surprised and frightened, upon which they will dart for cover to a place as unreachable as possible by humans or other animals. A genet can squeeze its body through any opening large enough for its head to pass through. Bonded to a human owner, genets can be held and petted, but for the most part do not like to be restrained. It is virtually impossible to hold a genet who does not wish to be held. When scruffed, genets can even turn inside of their skin to facilitate escape. Genets will bite when frightened or cornered, but generally use their bites as a warning, rarely attacking with the ferocity of which they are capable.
Genets have semi-retractable claws, but do not use them as weapons in the manner of a cat, instead using them exclusively for climbing and holding prey while they administer a bite to the neck. Thus their claws do not pose a threat to furniture the way a cat's do. They do enjoy perching on a lap or shoulder, however, and will climb a bare leg to get there.
Genets are very clean pets, consistent in their use of litter boxes/pans. Shredded paper is preferable to the genet over conventional cat litter. Genet urine, unlike cat urine, is almost odor free and difficult for the human nose to detect. When frightened, genets can release a very strong, musky odor from scent glands used primarily for marking territory.
If acquired when very young, preferably in the first few weeks of life, a genet will form a lifelong bond with its owner, and can live up to 20 years in captivity. A genet can be socialized to exist peacefully with other pets, such as cats and dogs, but will eat prey pets, such as birds and hamsters. There are several reports by genet owners of attacks upon pet ferrets by their genets, so these two animals are a bad combination.
Domestic captive breeding programs are active in many of the 50 states of the U.S. precipitating adoption as a pet rather than wild capture.
Species
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