Small Spotted Genet on the Prowl

Caption: Small-spotted genet (Genetta genetta) on the prowl, foraging for food at night, Kruger National Park, South Africa. © Scotch Macaskill

Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi); Lens: Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L; Focal length: 115mm; Apertures: f/3.5; Shutter speed: 1/60; ISO: 400.

About Genets: The Small-Spotted Genet differs from the Large-Spotted Genet (Genetta tigrina) not in physical size (both are around 95 cm in total length), but in the size of the spots.

In both types the body color is white or buffy white; the spots of the Small-Spotted are black or rust-colored while the Large-Spotted has a pattern of bigger black spots and blotches. The two can usually be told apart by the tail - the Large-Spotted Genet, in addition to its larger body spots, has a black-tipped tail, while the Small-Spotted Genet's tail has a tip that is a paler, buffy white color.

Genets are nocturnal and solitary so are not easily seen although in the Kruger National Park they can be found scavenging at night in some camps, looking for leftover scraps.

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