Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Viverridae
- Genus
- Genetta
- Species
- Genetta servalina
Habitat
Lowe's servaline genet primarily inhabits montane and submontane forests in East Africa, such as those in Tanzania and possibly Kenya. It prefers dense undergrowth, rocky areas, and elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters for cover and hunting.
Diet
Lowe's servaline genet mainly eats small rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects, supplementing with fruits and other plant matter. It is a nocturnal hunter that uses stealth and agility to stalk prey, often in trees or on the ground.
Behavior
Lowe's servaline genet is solitary and nocturnal, spending days hidden in dens or tree hollows and becoming active at night to hunt. It is highly agile, climbing trees and marking territories with scent glands from its anal glands. They are elusive animals that avoid confrontation and communicate through vocalizations and scent.
Conservation Status
The IUCN assesses Genetta servalina as Least Concern, but Lowe's servaline genet faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and human encroachment, with populations likely declining in fragmented areas.