The nocturnal genet video…One day and counting…

Last night, our trail cam captured the video above of our frequently visiting genet. This beautiful, secretive little creature has become a regular nighttime visitor, quietly making its way through our garden while we sleep. It is always exciting to see what our trail cam captures during the night.

Living in Marloth Park, South Africa, means sharing our surroundings with an extraordinary variety of wildlife. During the day, we may see zebras wandering through the garden, kudus nibbling at the vegetation, warthogs kneeling on their front legs to graze, and many bushbucks quietly making their way to our veranda for pellets. But when darkness falls, and most of us are safely tucked inside our homes, an entirely different world comes alive. One of the most fascinating creatures to emerge under the cover of darkness is the elusive and beautiful genet.

A genet is one of those animals that many visitors to Marloth Park never see, even though they may be living much closer than anyone realizes. These graceful, cat-like creatures are mostly nocturnal, spending their days hidden away in dense vegetation, hollow trees, roof spaces, or other protected areas where they can sleep undisturbed. Then, as the sun sets and the bush grows quiet, the genet begins its nightly adventures.

With its slender body, pointed face, large eyes, and exceptionally long tail, a genet has an unmistakable appearance. Its beautifully patterned coat is covered in dark spots and markings, helping it blend surprisingly well into the shadows and vegetation. Although they may look somewhat like a cat, genets are not actually cats. They belong to a different family of small carnivorous mammals, but there is no denying their feline grace as they move silently through the darkness.

A typical night in Marloth Park might find a genet traveling through the trees, along a fence, across a roof, or quietly exploring a garden in search of food. They are excellent climbers and can move with remarkable agility, using their long tails for balance as they navigate branches and other narrow surfaces. Their diet is varied and may include insects, small rodents, birds, eggs, frogs, reptiles, and fruit. In a place as rich in wildlife as Marloth Park, there is always something interesting to investigate.

Because genets are generally solitary animals, each one lives a rather independent life. They don’t travel about in large groups like zebras or impalas, nor do they announce their presence with loud calls. Instead, they go quietly about their business, often passing through the same areas night after night without being noticed. A motion-sensitive camera can sometimes reveal just how active these secretive visitors are while we sleep.

For a genet living in Marloth Park, however, life is not without its dangers. Even though it is a skilled climber and a quick, agile animal, it must always remain alert. Larger predators may pose a threat, as can vehicles traveling through the park after dark. Domestic animals can also create problems for wildlife, particularly when a small nocturnal creature ventures too close to a home.

Still, the genet seems perfectly suited to this unique environment. Marloth Park offers a fascinating mixture of natural bush, private homes, gardens, trees, and open spaces, all of which become part of the genet’s nighttime world. While we may think of our homes and gardens as belonging to us, the genet sees them quite differently. To this little creature, a roof may be a convenient pathway, a tree may be a highway, and a quiet garden may provide an evening meal.

There is something especially magical about seeing a genet. Perhaps it is because they are so secretive and seldom seen, or maybe it is their striking appearance and graceful movements. One moment, you may catch a glimpse of those bright eyes in the darkness, and the next, the animal has disappeared without a sound.

That is part of the wonder of living in Marloth Park. Even after all this time, we never know who might be visiting our garden when we aren’t looking. While we sleep, the bush is alive with activity, and somewhere out there, a beautiful spotted genet may be quietly making its way through the darkness, living its secret life just beyond our windows.

Tomorrow around noon, we will begin the drive to the airport in Nelspruit, where we’ll stay overnight at the airport hotel for our 7:00 am flight on Monday. Most likely, we will prepare a post before we go, but if you don’t see it, please check back later in the day since I may do it once we arrive at the hotel.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 5, 2016: