Page 88 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

86  WILD SOUTH AFRIC A

Small Carnivores Family
Genets and civets belong to
South Africa supports a wide diversity of small carnivorous the most ancient of car nivore
mammals, some very conspicuous and easily observed, families, Viverridae, which is
others highly secretive and elusive. Falling firmly into the confined to Africa and Asia.
first category are the mongooses of the family Herpestidae, Mustelidae, by contrast, is the
most diverse carnivore family,
several species of which are likely to be seen in the course of represented by 55 species and
any safari. The nocturnal viverrids and mustelids are generally 24 genera worldwide.
less likely to be seen, although genets often become very
tame in lodges where they are regularly fed.

Cape Clawless Otter Honey-Badger Striped Weasel
Species: Aonyx capensis Species: Mellivora capensis Species: Poecilogale albincha
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Arguably the largest of the The honey-badger, or ratel, A widespread but uncommon
“small” carnivores, weighing has a fearless temperament resident of open grassland, the
as much as 35 kg (77 lb) in and pugilistic build, with a striped weasel is mostly black
some cases, the Cape clawless black body bisected by an off- below and white on top, with
otter is a dark brown piscivore white stripe down its back, an all-white tail. With its very
with a bold white collar. a deceptively puppyish face short legs and almost cylindri cal
While seen in any suitable and heavy, bear-like claws. An body shape, it could almost be
wetland habitat, it is most opportunistic feeder, its diet mistaken for a snake at first
common in waters where it includes snakes, scorpions and glance. It preys almost
can evade crocodiles. the soft parts of tortoises. exclusively on small rodents.

African Civet Common Genet Blotched Genet
Species: Civettictis civetta Species: Genetta genetta Species: Genetta tigrina
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Larger and heftier-looking than Also known as the small- Similar-looking to the common
the related genets, the African spotted genet, this is the most genet but with a black-tipped
civet is a long-haired omnivore familiar member of a genus of instead of a white-tipped tail,
with a black, white and gold cat-like predators represented the blotched or large-spotted
coat. It feeds on small animals, by some eight species in sub- genet has a slender, low-slung
including certain snakes, but Saharan Africa. It regularly visits torso, a spotted black-on-gold
will also eat fruits and roots. It is a few select lodges at night, coat and a long striped tail.
seen on night drives, pacing and is quite often observed on It is most likely to be seen on
deliberately with its nose to the night drives in Sabi Sands and a night drive or scavenging
ground as if following a scent. other reserves. around lodges after dark.
IUCN status LC: Least Concern

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