Servaline genet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Servaline genet |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Genetta
|
| Species: |
servalina
|
 |
|
| Servaline genet range | |
The servaline genet (Genetta servalina) is a small, cat-like animal that lives in Central Africa. It is a type of genet, known for its unique spotted fur. Because it is found in many places and is quite common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
What They Look Like
The servaline genet has reddish-brown fur with black spots. These spots are found on its neck, back, and sides. Its feet are black, and it has a long tail with wide black rings and thin white rings.
This genet has short hair and a dark, broken stripe running along its spine. The very tip of its tail is bright.
Male servaline genets are usually about 49 to 51 centimeters (about 19 to 20 inches) long from head to body. Their tails can be about 45 to 46.5 centimeters (about 17.7 to 18.3 inches) long. Females are a bit smaller, with their bodies measuring about 44.5 to 49.5 centimeters (about 17.5 to 19.5 inches) and tails from 36.8 to 48.5 centimeters (about 14.5 to 19 inches).
Where They Live
Servaline genets live in a wide area of Central Africa. You can find them from the Sanaga River in Cameroon all the way south to the Congo Basin. They also live eastward into Uganda and Tanzania.
In the Republic of Congo, these genets have been seen using camera-traps in a place called Odzala-Kokoua National Park. This area has a mix of forests and grasslands.
In Tanzania, a special type of servaline genet, called Lowe's servaline genet, was first seen in the Udzungwa Mountains in 2000 and photographed in 2002. Later, in 2005, more camera traps found them in the Uluguru and Nguru ranges. They were found at heights between 950 and 1,400 meters (about 3,100 to 4,600 feet) above sea level. Scientists think they might live in other parts of the Eastern Arc Mountains too.
A unique type, the Zanzibar servaline genet, lives only on Unguja Island in Zanzibar. People first learned about this specific genet in 1995. In January 2003, camera traps took the first pictures of these genets in the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park.
Types of Servaline Genets
The servaline genet was first officially described by a scientist named Jacques Pucheran in 1855.
Scientists recognize five different types, or subspecies, of the servaline genet:
- The main type, called G. s. servalina.
- G. s. bettoni.
- G. s. schwarzi.
- Lowe's servaline genet (G. s. lowei). This type was identified from a single animal skin found in 1932 in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains.
- The Zanzibar servaline genet (G. s. archeri).
There's also another animal called the crested servaline genet (G. cristata). It used to be thought of as just another type of servaline genet. However, most scientists now agree that it is a completely separate species.
