Genet

The Genet is a small carnivorous animal that belongs to the Viverridae family, which also includes civets and binturongs.
There are 17 species of Genets, all of which live in Africa except for the Common Genet, which also occurs in Europe.

Genets prefer habitats that have dense vegetation, such as woodlands, savannas, forests, and sometimes farmland or near villages.
They avoid open habitats, such as deserts and grasslands.
They are mostly nocturnal and arboreal, meaning they hunt and rest in the trees.
They feed on rodents, birds, insects, fruits, and sometimes eggs.

Genets have a long body, a long ringed tail, large ears, a pointed muzzle, and partly retractile claws.
Their fur is spotted or striped, and they have a dark stripe along the spine.
They have musk glands and anal sacs, which they use for scent marking their territory.
They are solitary and territorial animals, except during the mating season.

Genets are not endangered, but they face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and trapping.
They are sometimes kept as pets, but they are not domesticated and can be aggressive.
They are also susceptible to diseases such as rabies and distemper.

A genet is a creature that you might like
It has a long body and a tail with stripes
It has a pointed nose and large rounded ears
And claws that can retract when it feels fear

It looks a bit like a cat but it is not
It belongs to a family called Viverridae
It lives in Africa and some parts of Europe
And eats whatever it can find, from fruits to snakes

Some people keep them as exotic pets
But they are not cuddly or affectionate
They are nocturnal and solitary by nature
And need a lot of space and care to be content

So if you ever see a genet in the wild
Or in a picture on the internet
Don't be fooled by its beautiful fur and eyes
It's not a cat, it's a genet!