Exploring Pigeon Valley: Large-spotted Genet

THIS is the 63rd in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood.

The focus of this article will be on the Large-spotted Genet.

I was standing under a majestic Natal Elm on the main track of the reserve, talking to a man and his son, when the latter pointed up and said, ‘What is that?’ High above us in the canopy was moving an animal with a long striped black and white tail.

This is in fact one of the couple of times I have seen the Large-spotted Genet in the reserve.

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I apologise for showing a photo of the genet at my house instead of from the reserve, but things are a bit constrained at present.

This is a most handsome animal and, perhaps for that reason, quite popular with suburban dwellers, though not with poultry producers (it has a habit of decapitating chickens, even those it does not eat).

Very cat-like in appearance, it is in fact more closely related to mongooses.

This mammal has adapted to human surroundings very well.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Natal Spurfowl 

In the wild, genets breed in summer in tree canopies. Once, though, they discovered roof cavities, they realised that these provided great opportunities for breeding without predators intruding.

However, roof cavities get very hot in summer, so they shifted to winter. Food refuse is often available, though this can threaten their wellbeing, as food waste is usually mixed with plastics and other undesirable material.

The first time I encountered one was in the house, and the animal scurried away in alarm. Subsequently, though, someone would tell me that isilwane was outside the kitchen, and we could watch it forage.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Dune Soapberry 

One winter I suspected that they were in fact breeding in the roof; then one night I was disturbed by barking dogs and an unexplained squealing; the parents were moving the young down from the roof.

This time coincided with the disappearance of rats from around the house; they provided a ready source of protein.

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

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