Le répertoire comportemental de la Genette Genetta genetta (Linné)
Authors: Gangloff B. , Ropartz Ph. 
Published: November 2022

A catalogue of behaviour patterns — except those related to breeding — of adult Genets in captivity has been established on the basis of two years observation of several individuals. Postures and movements are classified according to simple criteria (Chapter I). Locomotion (walking, trot, galop, climbing) is described. Behaviour patterns used for different purposes and occasions are composed of specialised postures, preceeded or accompanied by more or less complex attitudes and by swinging and stabilization movements ; these make possible the maintainance and correction of postures.

In chapter II, all the observed behaviour patterns and sequences are described and classified according to their functions.

Behavioural adaptations for sensory perception are mostly composed of movements orientating the sense organs. These involve attitudes and movements for auditory, visual, tactile and olfactory perception. The complex space-time organization of these movements and attitudes constitutes exploratory behaviour. «Defensive » behaviour patterns (such as the alert posture, start and avoiding jumps, various avoidance movements, flight), and «offensive » behaviour patterns (attack, bite, threat) can be distinguished.

Genets have a varied range of grooming movements : they shake, rub, lick, nibble, and scratch themselves in different ways.

During predation the neck of the Genet is typically strained. Small prey (mice) are bitten in the neck, while larger prey (rats) are retained by the feet of the Genet so that several bites are possible.

Genets feed in typical positions. They eat the entire prey, beginning by the head (mice), or, rarely, by a leg (rats, chickens). Sometimes, they snatch pieces of meat by holding the prey with two feet. Genets lap when drinking.

The same place is invariably used by every animal sharing the same cage for defecation. Urination is less strictly localized.

Genets rest in different positions: sitting or prostrate resting positions give way to somnolence ; the «coiled position» which precedes sleep is itself preceeded hy a circular movement at one place. Resting places during the day and during the night are different, even in a small cage.

Genets stretch themselves in different ways. Stretching generally occurs several times after waking. Stretching is often accompanied by yawns.

«Building» activities (such as the building of resting-places, burrowing) do not exist in the behavioural repertoire of Genets. «Handling» behaviour is rare and very simple. Genets carry their preys by the neck or head ; they extract flesh by intermittent pulling.

Some information is given on the breeding of genets in the «Zoo de l’Orangerie» at Strasbourg, but breeding behaviour will be treated in a later publication.

In the reperttoire of visual signals, there is a very distinctive «intimidation» display, which includes bristling, lengthening of the appendages, slackening of movements. Threat consists of opening the mouth, aggressive straining underlined by auditory signals (blowing and «shrill cry»). During some kinds of play, Genets swing their tails horizontally.

Vocalisations are few in number and rather variable. A sound which is similar to a «hiccup» may be emitted alternately by two Genets ; it probably serves a function in auditive orientation between congeners and during appeasement.

Olfactory marking involves more or less distinctive movements and includes marking with the anal glands and the rubbing of flanks on the substrate. This last behaviour is complex and may have various functions (marking, play, comfort) according to circumstances. Intra-specific interactions more often tend to drive the animals apart rather than bring them together. Genets in the same cage are generally indifferent to each other. Adult Genets rarely play spontaneously, though the «catching and following prey» game can easily be elicited experimentally.

Chapter III gives some indications about the sensory performances and orientation of Genets. Sight is mainly used in the localization and catching of prey. Olfaction is mainly used in intra-specific relations. Hearing plays an important part in protective and defensive behaviour and during predation. The vibrissae contribute to exploration and to orientation movements during predation. Variability of behaviour patterns is dealt with in chapter IV (Individual differences and learning, individual adaptation).

In brief, the behaviour of Genets is characterized by a suppleness and precision of movements, by a nocturnal activity, a fidelity to some «fixed places», by a tendency to solitary life and by specialized predation techniques.