Genetta maculata

(Gray, 1830)

Vernacular names
English : Rusty-spotted genet
French : Genette à taches rousses

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae
Notes : 4 subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 52 cm, tail length of 53 cm, weight up to 3.2 kg. Small head with large ears. Conspicuous black and white face markings. Coloration grey with rows of black spots, the biggest spots with brown centers. 7 to 9 rings on tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Africa, south of Sahara, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Cameroon, south to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and northern South Africa. Lives in rainforests, woodlands, wooded savannas, montane forests to 1400 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : This species has a huge range and its populations aren’t monitored. It is declining locally because of hunting for bushmeat and persecution.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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