Giant forest genet

Giant forest genet
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Viverridae
Genus:	Genetta
Species:	G. victoriae
Binomial name
Genetta victoriae Thomas, 1901
Giant forest genet range

The giant forest genet (Genetta victoriae), also known as the giant genet, is a small carnivoran endemic to the Congo Basin. As it is considered as widely distributed and common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.^[1]

Characteristics

The giant genet has a yellowish white short and thick fur with numerous black spots. It is whitish on top of the muzzle and between the eyes. From behind the ears two dark bands run backwards, and a black stripe runs along the spine. Its long bushy tail has broad black and six narrower white rings and is black on the tip.^[2]

Measurements of museum specimen range from 550 to 600 mm (22 to 24 in) in head and body with a 413 to 490 mm (16.3 to 19.3 in) long tail.^[3]

References

1. Van Rompaey, H., Gaubert, P. & Hoffmann, M. (2008). "Genetta victoriae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature.
2. Thomas, O. (1901). On the more notable Mammals obtained by Sir Harry Johnston in the Uganda Protectorate. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1901, Vol II: 85–90.
3. Van Rompaey, H. and Colyn, M. (2013). Genetta victoriae Giant Genet. In: J. Kingdon and M. Hoffmann (eds.) The Mammals of Africa. V. Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses, pp. 249–250. Bloomsbury, London, UK.