Cape Genet
Genetta tigrina
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnivorans)
- FamilyViverridae (Civets, Genets, and Oyans)
- GenusGenetta (Genets)
- SpeciesGenetta tigrina (Cape Genet)
About the Cape Genet
The Cape genet (Genetta tigrina), also known as the South African large-spotted genet, is a genet species endemic to South Africa. As it is common and not threatened, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Like other genets, it is nocturnal and arboreal, preferring to live in the riparian zones of forests, as long as these are not marshy areas.
The Cape genet is ash grey with brown irregular spots and a black stripe along the spine. Its muzzle is white, and it has white spots below the eye. Its ears are grey. Its tail is black and white banded with a black tip.
Some individuals living in areas with more than 375 mm (14.8 in) annual precipitation are darker than individuals from drier areas. Measurements of adult males range from 460 to 580 mm (18 to 23 in) in head and body with a 390 to 459 mm (15.4 to 18.1 in) long tail and a weight of 1.6 to 2.1 kg (3.5 to 4.6 lb). Adult females range from 427 to 560 mm (16.8 to 22.0 in) in head and body with a 385 to 432 mm (15.2 to 17.0 in) long tail and a weight of 1.36 to 1.870 kg (3.00 to 4.12 lb).
Like in all Viverrinae, its dental formula is: 3.1.4.23.1.4.2. Like all genets, it has musk glands and anal sacs... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cape Genet in Table Mountain National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Table Mountain National Park
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
Arctocephalus pusillus
Caracal
Caracal caracal
African Clawless Otter
Aonyx capensis
Cape Gray Mongoose
Galerella pulverulenta
Marsh Mongoose
Atilax paludinosus
Southern Elephant Seal
Mirounga leonina
Leopard Seal
Hydrurga leptonyx
Cape Fox
Vulpes chama
Subantarctic Fur Seal
Arctocephalus tropicalis
Egyptian Mongoose
Herpestes ichneumon
Striped Polecat
Ictonyx striatus
Honey Badger
Mellivora capensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Genet in Table Mountain National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Genet sighting in Table Mountain National Park, based on 52 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Genet in Table Mountain National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Cape Genet in Table Mountain National Park in our monthly data.