• Body 42–55 cm, tail with dark rings.
• Secretes musk from glands at the base of the tail.
• Has retractile claws.

The blotched genet has soft spotted fur, which aids in camouflage. Young have their eyes closed at birth, and they open approximately ten days later. The species’ coat is grey-yellow or beige with large dark spots and stripes on the back. Large-spotted genets possess large eyes with vertical pupils that enable good nighttime vision. Sharp retractable claws assist in catching prey and climbing trees. The adult has a long tail with black rings, which helps maintain balance when climbing trees.