Genet

African carnivore · spotty · tree climber

Spotted coat. Genets have beautiful tan or gray fur covered in dark spots or stripes that help them hide in trees and tall grass. Their long tails are ringed with stripes, just like a lemur's.

African home. Most genets live across Africa, but one special type called the common genet also lives in Europe, including parts of Spain, Italy, and France. They prefer forests, grasslands, and rocky areas.

Night hunters. Genets are mostly active at night when they hunt small animals like mice, insects, and birds. They're excellent climbers and hunters that sneak through trees and along the ground looking for prey.

Smelly defense. When a genet feels threatened, it can release a stinky smell from glands near its bottom to scare away enemies, kind of like a skunk does. This stink is their main way to stay safe.

Cat or weasel?. Genets are small carnivores that look like they're part cat and part weasel, but they're actually their own special family of animals. They're about the size of a house cat but much more slender and flexible.