The Cape genet (Genetta tigrina), also known as the South African large-spotted genet, is a genet species endemic to South Africa. It is nocturnal and arboreal, preferring to live in the riparian zones of forests, as long as these are not marshy areas. Cape genets are distributed from the Western Cape of South Africa to KwaZulu-Natal, and to the Lesotho border. Cape genets have been recorded solitary, and mostly at night. During the day, they rest in trees high above the ground. They are both terrestrial and arboreal, but hunt and feed on the ground. Cape genets become active after dark to search for prey, mainly feed on rodents and birds.
In generally Viverridae family if knows from Eocene but still their biology remains poorly studied. They are even kept at home as pets. They are mostly carnivorous and live in seclusion. However, there are vegetarian - spotted palm tsyveta, and dwarfish mongooses that prefers living in large social groups.
In Kyiv Zoo you can see genet in summer enclosure and in winter enclosure located in Island of animals depending on the season.
Author of the text and photosMaryna Shkvyria, PhD
