What is a genet?
One of the first challenges of genet ownership is categorizing this unusual little pet into an evolutionary context for inquiring minds.
One of the lesser known native African animals except perhaps among the exotic pet community (they aren't even identified in your spell check), the spotted genet is in the family viverridae along with civets, binturongs (also known as bear cats) and lisangs. They are feliforms, which is a suborder that includes felines and mongooses of which they are distantly related.
The genet’s behavior and appearance is very similar to that of the animals they resemble, however they are truly unique with their own specialized behavior.
They have retractable claws, very long tails, and are agile, squirrel-like climbers. Their range consists of mainly Africa, but also extends to parts of Europe where some genet species have been introduced.