Angolan genet
- The Angolan genet can stand on its hind legs — a rare ability among viverrids.
- Genets can descend trees head-first.
- The genet is nocturnal and almost unstudied.
- Its tail ends in a black tip, not white like that of the common genet.
- In captivity genets have lived more than 10 years.
- Melanistic (black) individuals occur fairly often.
- The stomach of one individual contained remains of grasshoppers, insects and fruit.
- There is a raisable crest of long hairs along the back.
- Males are larger than females.
- It inhabits miombo woodland and savannas of southern Africa.
Age
Angolan genets typically live from 8 to 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 22 years and 9 months, and a theoretical lifespan ranging from 11 years and 4 months to 22 years and 9 months. The species reaches sexual maturity between 1 and 2 years of age; during the "Embryo" stage, the embryo develops inside the mother, receiving all nutrients via the placenta and not eating independently. Following birth, the young enter the "Infant" stage, characterized by blindness and sparse fur in the initial days, where the mother feeds them with milk and protects them in a den. The adult stage begins when the genet is fully grown, capable of hunting and producing offspring, and lasts from 1 to 12 years. An angolan genet lives independently or with its young during this period.
Phenotype
The angolan genet possesses dense fur of a grey-brown color with black spots and stripes, which helps it to hide among branches and grass. This species has large eyes with vertical pupils, allowing excellent night vision and accurate prey capture, as well as long sensitive whiskers on the muzzle, which help in orientation in the dark and sensing nearby objects. Sharp claws are located on the paws, which the genet can retract for silent hunting and convenient climbing of trees. A long tail with distinct black rings is used for balance when climbing. The offspring's fur grows quickly and by the first month is covered with spots, like adult individuals, and the eyes open approximately on the tenth day; before that, the offspring orients itself by smell and warmth.
Physiology
The angolan genet’s body height ranges from 17.8 centimeters to 3.5 meters, and its body length varies from 80 centimeters to 1.05 meters; the species weighs 1.87 kilograms. During the embryo stage, the body mass is between 1 and 15 grams, with a body length of 1 millimeter to 1.5 centimeters. The young have a body mass ranging from 80 to 250 grams and a body length of 15 to 25 centimeters. Adult angolan genets weigh from 1.4 to 2.2 kilograms and measure between 85 centimeters and 1.05 meters in length.
Habitat
The miombo genet inhabits elevations from 800 meters to 1.8 kilometers above sea level, and its biome is tropical savanna characterized by hot temperatures and uneven rainfall with abundant grass and trees. The species occupies terrestrial landscapes including ground meadows and steppes, ground grassy areas, and forests. The climate features little precipitation in winter and more in summer; it is consistently hot throughout the year, with frequent rains but occasional dry periods. Summers are very hot, exceeding 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, and include heavy rainfall while winters have almost no precipitation.
Shelter
The angolan genet resides in trees or among rocks within forests, utilizing dens for reproduction, rest, and protection from the sun; these dens are constructed of grass.
Geography
The Angolan genet is found within the Afrotropical biogeographical region.
Feeding
The angolan genet is a predator that hunts small animals and insects, occasionally consuming fruits, and its nocturnal hunting relies on sight, hearing, and jumping. The species’ diet includes small rodents, birds, insects, eggs, fruits, small mammals, and fruits. It actively hunts and pursues its prey, consuming between 80 grams and 160 grams of food daily. Typical prey items for the angolan genet are striped grass mice, acacia rats, and shrew moles.
Reproduction
Angolan genets inhabit and develop on land, away from bodies of water, and their young develop in nests built on the ground, close to it, or high in the branches of bushes or trees, sometimes within tree trunks or caves. The species reproduces through live birth, with the female giving birth to 2 to 4 young on land; the offspring are helpless and remain with the mother for several months. Gestation lasts 2 months and 3 weeks, and the female brings forth her offspring in a shelter. Litter sizes range from 2 to 4, and sexual reproduction is always accomplished through fertilization without generation changes. The interval between reproductive events is from 8 months to 1 year, and males and females reach maturity from 1 to 2 years of age. Only the mother demonstrates parental care within nests located inside tree trunks or in caves.