The Hausa genet (''Genetta thierryi'') is a genet

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

native to

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...

savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...

s. It is listed as

Least Concern A least-concern species is a species that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as evaluated as not being a focus of species conservation because the specific species is still plentiful in the wild. T ...

on the

IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biol ...

. Hausa genets have been sighted in

Senegal Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 � ...

's wooded steppes, in moist woodlands in

Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau ( ; pt, Guiné-Bissau; ff, italic=no, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫 𞤄𞤭𞤧𞤢𞥄𞤱𞤮, Gine-Bisaawo, script=Adlm; Mandinka: ''Gine-Bisawo''), officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau ( pt, República da Guiné-Bissau, links=no ) ...

, and in rainforest in

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

and

Ivory Coast Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro, in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is ...

Characteristics

The Hausa genet has a bright colored fur with short hair. A brown-rufous continuous line along its back is longitudinally crossed by a brighter colored line. Its feet are as bright as the ground coloration. Its tail is banded with dark and bright rings and a black tip.Gaubert, P., Taylor, P. J., Veron, G. (2005)
Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics of the genets (Carnivora, Viverridae, ''Genetta''): a new classification of the most speciose carnivoran genus in Africa
In: BA Huber, BJ Sinclair, K-H Lampe (eds.) African Biodiversity: Molecules, Organisms, Ecosystems. Proceedings 5th International Symposium Tropical Biology, Museum König, Bonn. Springer Verlag. Its marking consist of two rows of elongated

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

spots. The spots on shoulder, thigh and flank are smaller and darker. Its forelimbs and hindlimbs are not spotted. It differs in colouring and length of hair in relation to its habitat, the pelage being shorter and paler in savannah-type habitat, and longer and darker (more yellow) in forest habitat. The guard hairs at the base of the

spatula A spatula is a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread and lift material including foods, drugs, plaster and paints. In medical applications, "spatula" may also be used synonymously with tongue depressor. The word ''spatula'' derives f ...

are round, or very slightly ovoid, which is unique among genets.

Distribution and habitat

The Hausa genet is native to

Gambia The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...

and

Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...

, where it inhabits moist and dry savannas with open woodlands. It has also been sighted in dry wooded steppes in

, and in

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

and

Côte d’Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro, in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is ...

Ecology and behavior

The ecology of the Hausa genet has been little studied. Its foraging behaviour and diet is likely to be similar to that of other genets. Its breeding behaviour is also unknown, but these genets are thought to make dens among boulders or in holes dug into the ground. A juvenile was found sleeping in a hollow tree, and two half-grown animals were found in Mali in November, which may indicate that pups were born between January and March.

Threats

It is hunted in some areas and sometimes seen on display as

bushmeat Bushmeat is meat from wildlife species that are hunted for human consumption, most often referring to the meat of game in Africa. Bushmeat represents a primary source of animal protein and a cash-earning commodity for inhabitants of humid tropi ...

. The scale and impact of this threat is not known.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q43207

Hausa genet The Hausa genet (''Genetta thierryi'') is a Genetta, genet species native to West African savannas. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Hausa genets have been sighted in Senegal's wooded steppes, in moist woodlands in Guinea-Biss ...

Mammals of West Africa