Giant Gorse
| Giant Gorse | ||||||||||||
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Giant Gorse Cat ( Genetta victoriae ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Genetta Victoriae | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1902 |
The Giant Gorse ( Genetta victoriae ) is a species of predator belonging to the genus of the gorse cats . It inhabits the rainforests of the north-eastern Congo Basin , although it is almost exclusively restricted to the Democratic Republic of the Congo .
features
The Giant Gorse is a large gorse with a head body length of 55 to 60 cm, a tail length of 41.3 to 49 cm and a body weight of 2.5 to 3.5 kg. The basic color of the fur is yellowish to ocher-white on the top, paler on the underside. The species is densely spotted black on the flanks and back. She also has a dark back line, the hair of which forms an erect back comb, and a pair of broad neck strips. The face is characterized by a black mask and two white eye spots. The tail is curled, with the wide black rings being interrupted by one of the six narrower, pale rings. The width of the pale rings in the center of the tail is less than 20% of the dark rings. The tip of the tail itself is black, the legs are dark brown. Males and females hardly differ in size and color. Subspecies are not recognized.
distribution
The giant gorse is only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in neighboring parts of Uganda . In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is restricted to the area between the Congo , Lualaba and Oubangui rivers. In Uganda it was detected in the area of the Semliki Forest and the Bwamba Forest. Why it does not appear to be found west of the Congo and Oubangi is unclear, as potentially suitable habitats are likely to exist there. These rivers may form strong barriers to spread. It is also conceivable that the species occurs in these areas, but has not yet been detected. A more recent study of museum specimens shows that the giant gorse was found 500 km south of the previously known distribution area on the left bank of the Congo.
habitat
The giant gorse cat lives in rainforests from the lowlands to heights of up to 1800 m. Individual specimens have also been found in deciduous forests in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Way of life
Nothing is known about food choices in the wild. A trapped animal ate bananas and rats. The giant gorse is apparently nocturnal. To rest, she looks for tree hollows or hiding places in climbing plants. Nothing is known about the reproductive behavior. It is believed that she usually lives solitary.
Danger
The species only seems to be incomplete in its range. Presumably it occurs in Maiko National Park . It is rare between the Uma and Enano east of Kisangani , while it is more common between Kisangani and Buta and between the Aruwimi and Lindi rivers . Secure evidence comes from the okapi game reserve . The Giant Gorse is classified by the IUCN as “least concern”. The animals are hunted for meat and because of the gorse cat skins.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d P. Jennings, G. Veron: Family Viverridae (Civets, Genet and Oyans). In: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, 2009, ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1 , (p. 224).
- ↑ a b c Genetta victoriae in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.2. Posted by: Van Rompaey, H., Gaubert, P. & Hoffmann, M., 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ↑ P. Gaubert, M. Papeş, AT Peterson: Natural history collections and the conservation of poorly known taxa: Ecological niche modeling in central African rainforest genets ( Genetta spp.) . Biological Conservation Volume 130, Issue 1, June 2006, Pages 106-117 online link
- ↑ a b Jonathan Kingdon: The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. A&C Black Publishers, London 2007 [1997], ISBN 978-0-7136-6513-0 (p. 269 f.)
Web links
- Genetta victoriae inthe IUCN 2011 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Van Rompaey, H., Gaubert, P. & Hoffmann, M., 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2012.