Adaption
Day 1) My first day on the field was something. I was not expecting so much
things to happen in Southern Africa. I though I was going to go there and sleep, because I had the biggest jet leg EVER. That was not the case. For Africa it was super cold there.
So I started to go look for an Angolan Genet. These
creatures are so magnificence. With there beautiful coat of spots and strips.
There head to toe (not including tail) spots are very unique to them. The middle
section of there back has specific rows of spots. That makes it a lot easier to
spot because the spots are all in different places of the Genet. So when we have to try to find the SAME Genet again it is a relief. The spots are brown-black color. This helps the animal blend in the rainforest at night. On the tail is where you get the 8 to 10 dark black ring lets. It is also thick and VERY fluffy. The background of the Genet is a dark gray or a red-ish gray. Of this color it make this animal easier to hunt. Since it has a darker fur color and it hunts at night it can sneak up and get the animal right away. Also in the day time the Genets hide in the ground, so they can blend in better with the natural elements. When I go looking for the Genets I have to be extra careful or I might just miss them. Now there heads are almost the same size as a domestic short hair cat, but the Genets head is a little bigger. They have a snout that is long noes wise and narrow. There teeth are very small with two sets of two pointy canine teeth. The lower lip and noes is black and the upper lip and chin are white. There eyes are big and completely brown, but has a glassy film that reflects light. They have little whiskers and same size ears as a cat, but the Genets ears have
curved on the top. Also there whole body is the size of a full grown manecoon.
cat. They have short legs about 4 to 5 inches long on both pairs. This makes it easier for them to jump and clime from limb to limb. There paws are small with very sharp curved claws. This is an amazing creature. This Angolan
Genet is the most common Genet you would find.
things to happen in Southern Africa. I though I was going to go there and sleep, because I had the biggest jet leg EVER. That was not the case. For Africa it was super cold there.
So I started to go look for an Angolan Genet. These
creatures are so magnificence. With there beautiful coat of spots and strips.
There head to toe (not including tail) spots are very unique to them. The middle
section of there back has specific rows of spots. That makes it a lot easier to
spot because the spots are all in different places of the Genet. So when we have to try to find the SAME Genet again it is a relief. The spots are brown-black color. This helps the animal blend in the rainforest at night. On the tail is where you get the 8 to 10 dark black ring lets. It is also thick and VERY fluffy. The background of the Genet is a dark gray or a red-ish gray. Of this color it make this animal easier to hunt. Since it has a darker fur color and it hunts at night it can sneak up and get the animal right away. Also in the day time the Genets hide in the ground, so they can blend in better with the natural elements. When I go looking for the Genets I have to be extra careful or I might just miss them. Now there heads are almost the same size as a domestic short hair cat, but the Genets head is a little bigger. They have a snout that is long noes wise and narrow. There teeth are very small with two sets of two pointy canine teeth. The lower lip and noes is black and the upper lip and chin are white. There eyes are big and completely brown, but has a glassy film that reflects light. They have little whiskers and same size ears as a cat, but the Genets ears have
curved on the top. Also there whole body is the size of a full grown manecoon.
cat. They have short legs about 4 to 5 inches long on both pairs. This makes it easier for them to jump and clime from limb to limb. There paws are small with very sharp curved claws. This is an amazing creature. This Angolan
Genet is the most common Genet you would find.
Day 2) Last night I could not even sleep! It was so uncomfortable. All I could think of was "I can not wain to see a Genet in person!" and "When is it time to wake up." I guess it was normal for me to feel that way because when it was night time in Africa it was day time in America.. I was fidgeting and felt bad because we all slept on cots in the same area. My second day out in the African Rain forest was breathtaking. It was so peaceful with all of the natural surrounding. Birds chirping, friendly life all around, I felt like I was in Heaven! I all ready saw what the Genets looked like, but I never saw how they acted yet. Yesterday we just got some looks at them but it was hard because they acted camera shy. Now i can be camera sometimes but not as much as them. The Genets are normally nocturnal and live in what ever they can sleep in. Common objects are Little holes in rocks, sneaky places in trees, and sometimes they make there own hiding place like burrows. That is where they are mostly during the day. Now at night it is a whole different world. Her you are just walking through the middle of the night and trees start to move. Leafs falling and then I think, we most be close. There reason I trough that is because genets are very skilled leapers and climbers. We wanted to make sure we could not be seen because we would be in trouble. If we encounter one in a bad moods the genets would have there hair on there head and back stand up to make them look two times as big. If we were "Lucky" they would hiss, spit, or elemate horrifying smells. Ewww! I am also suprized we did not get caught because Genets have a really, really good smelling sent. There niche is ether a smell or a little scream or whine or howl. I mostly saw the genets not alone but at least with a comforting partner, but mostly sciences can't not track where they go. So they might go in pares but if one does not keep up they get left behide.
Day 3) It has been an amizing experiance so far being out her in the rain forest. I was looking and following the Genets when I came across one very pictular genet. It looked like it was horrdering something by its face. It was a tine little mouse. It was still moving so it was proberly just coughten. I watched the genet alittle longer, and just before I was about to leave it started to devorer the mouse. It took its sharp teeth and long noes and nibbled the neck untill the head was mosly off. Then it started to eat the little meat off the mouse and it looked like it ate some of the other prts of mouse too. In the food web map below it states what the Angolan Genet primarly eats. The animals that the Genet eats is bat, mouse, sometimes chicken, millipedes, carrion (dead meat), other rodents and fruit. Now what eats the Angolan Genet is red fox, and pythons
Monitoring Genet
Day 4) To day we got this cool thinks in the camp site. In the mail we got this cool radio collars. I was so excited to see where this animals go through out the day. Then I through to my self, in order to see where the genets go we have to go capture This genets. Hole cow, it is a lot more work then I thought.
Day 5) To day is the day I capture my first Genet, yea! I went out with Veterinarian Dr Mike Toft, and Craig Widdows. Are goal today was to find and capture 10 Angolan Genets, hopefully. We started to walk out and it took about an hour before we say any thing. On the way the two boys were talking about there past experience with tracking the genet. This two men have been exploring the wonderful world in Africa. These men were not only tracking what the genets do, but also what they are eating. I was only looking at the tracking part through.
The first Genet they found was a female that they named lightning. Lightning was pregnant when hey found her. She also only moved two square kilometers per night. That was really not that much movement. They said it was hard to keep the genets from taking out there collar. Since they took there collars off the science gathered all of the information they had and went home. They were determined to get the Genets tracking more precise and for a long period of time. So they did R.N.D to find the best of the best tracking system. They found a perfect tracking system and I wanted to help try. So I meant up with them in Africa. We talked and decided to work together to find out where these Angolan Genets go. So now we have the up to date technology to track this magnificent creature. The first thing we have to do is capture the Genet to tag them. To tag them we set traps to see if we found anything we could use. So the first trap that we found was empty but the "Fruit salad" was all eaten.(Fruit Salad is a mix of different fruits and meats.) So now we had to mark that we had activity but no stay. We had to walk for about an hour until we got to our next stop. On the way the boys were telling me when they got the Angolan Genet what they did. So when they captured the species they had to to put a bag over the Genets head so it would not bite or harm them. Then the other on held the legs. Then Dr Toft took the collar out of the box and put it on the Genet. When it was on the Genet they put the Genet on the ground and when it calmed down from trying to escape they took the head cover off fast and softly so the Genet could run away and not come back to beat them up. We checked are next trap and nothing was there. So we went to the next one and nothing there. We checked the six more we had left, and once again nothing was there.
Day 6) So since yesterday was not a good day for looking for Genet we decied today that we would look at the trail camera. We should have looked at the cameras first because they showed a lot of information. It tracked where they were when we visited the traps.
Day 5) To day is the day I capture my first Genet, yea! I went out with Veterinarian Dr Mike Toft, and Craig Widdows. Are goal today was to find and capture 10 Angolan Genets, hopefully. We started to walk out and it took about an hour before we say any thing. On the way the two boys were talking about there past experience with tracking the genet. This two men have been exploring the wonderful world in Africa. These men were not only tracking what the genets do, but also what they are eating. I was only looking at the tracking part through.
The first Genet they found was a female that they named lightning. Lightning was pregnant when hey found her. She also only moved two square kilometers per night. That was really not that much movement. They said it was hard to keep the genets from taking out there collar. Since they took there collars off the science gathered all of the information they had and went home. They were determined to get the Genets tracking more precise and for a long period of time. So they did R.N.D to find the best of the best tracking system. They found a perfect tracking system and I wanted to help try. So I meant up with them in Africa. We talked and decided to work together to find out where these Angolan Genets go. So now we have the up to date technology to track this magnificent creature. The first thing we have to do is capture the Genet to tag them. To tag them we set traps to see if we found anything we could use. So the first trap that we found was empty but the "Fruit salad" was all eaten.(Fruit Salad is a mix of different fruits and meats.) So now we had to mark that we had activity but no stay. We had to walk for about an hour until we got to our next stop. On the way the boys were telling me when they got the Angolan Genet what they did. So when they captured the species they had to to put a bag over the Genets head so it would not bite or harm them. Then the other on held the legs. Then Dr Toft took the collar out of the box and put it on the Genet. When it was on the Genet they put the Genet on the ground and when it calmed down from trying to escape they took the head cover off fast and softly so the Genet could run away and not come back to beat them up. We checked are next trap and nothing was there. So we went to the next one and nothing there. We checked the six more we had left, and once again nothing was there.
Day 6) So since yesterday was not a good day for looking for Genet we decied today that we would look at the trail camera. We should have looked at the cameras first because they showed a lot of information. It tracked where they were when we visited the traps.
In this video the Genet is trying to get what ever is in the tree. It properly is some sort of bug or a dead animal.
In this video the you can see the agility of the genet. This is from a bird camera. You can see how the genet is stealthily, and careful. Ic an barley hear them when we go out to find the Angolan Genet.
Day 6 A) It has almost been a week here and I am LOVEN IT. It so cool to get this opportunity to get to explore a region I would not be able to with out my commander. So thanks Bridge.
Day 6 B) Today I found some extraordinary good information to know. We stared to look at the other trail cameras and we found this.
Day 7) Today we saw some interesting things. We saw that in a small village about 30 mintues out side off our camp was a genet. The interesting thing about it was saw the genet come out of a house with mouse in its mouth. I was astonished. We watch very closely and the animal had a missing ear. We recorded that and after about 5 mintues, after the genet was gone I went in to the house to ask the family a few questions. Now the rest of the team expects for one flowed the genet to see where it would go. When I was in the house the lady told me that that genet has been "protecting" there house from pests. I relied then that that is more than likely there "pet." She named the genet dot, because of the numerous dots on there back. So that would be a Mutualism.
Day 8) YAAAA!! Today we caught are very first genet! I was so excited. We put the radio collar on the genet,and when we were done I saw a speck on the genets back. I looked trough the fur and saw a tick. (The genets fur was so soft!) It fairly easy to get a tick but it was hooked on like it was there when the genet was born. So I took it off with twisters and put it in a bag for further inspection.
After all of that we when to go look to see if we had any more genet tracking. We came across are first trap and I put it in the books. My partner found something 10 feet west from the trap. He found a hole underneath a big tree. I was happy because I was positive that was a genet burrow, but my partner was not so sure. So we set up a little tiny camera inside the burrow to see who is right.
Day 6 A) It has almost been a week here and I am LOVEN IT. It so cool to get this opportunity to get to explore a region I would not be able to with out my commander. So thanks Bridge.
Day 6 B) Today I found some extraordinary good information to know. We stared to look at the other trail cameras and we found this.
Day 7) Today we saw some interesting things. We saw that in a small village about 30 mintues out side off our camp was a genet. The interesting thing about it was saw the genet come out of a house with mouse in its mouth. I was astonished. We watch very closely and the animal had a missing ear. We recorded that and after about 5 mintues, after the genet was gone I went in to the house to ask the family a few questions. Now the rest of the team expects for one flowed the genet to see where it would go. When I was in the house the lady told me that that genet has been "protecting" there house from pests. I relied then that that is more than likely there "pet." She named the genet dot, because of the numerous dots on there back. So that would be a Mutualism.
Day 8) YAAAA!! Today we caught are very first genet! I was so excited. We put the radio collar on the genet,and when we were done I saw a speck on the genets back. I looked trough the fur and saw a tick. (The genets fur was so soft!) It fairly easy to get a tick but it was hooked on like it was there when the genet was born. So I took it off with twisters and put it in a bag for further inspection.
After all of that we when to go look to see if we had any more genet tracking. We came across are first trap and I put it in the books. My partner found something 10 feet west from the trap. He found a hole underneath a big tree. I was happy because I was positive that was a genet burrow, but my partner was not so sure. So we set up a little tiny camera inside the burrow to see who is right.
What is a Symbiotic Relationship?
A symbiotic relationship is when 2 organisms are living in a close area together.
There are three main relationships in a symbiotic relationship.
the three main relationships include: Commensalism, Mutualism, Parasitism.
There are three main relationships in a symbiotic relationship.
the three main relationships include: Commensalism, Mutualism, Parasitism.
This is a video that my fellow researchers got when they were out here last year. They had to zoom in to get the genet with out scaring it away.
Day 9) It has a been a full week. I have learned a lot more information then I would have If I was sitting in a class room. Before my search I did not even know this animal excited. Now I am exstated to know that it they do excited. Also I did not know anything about the wild life out there. So it was a good experience to know the thing I thought I knew but did not know.
Like the Angolan Genet needs to have soft "Cleaner" dirt to burrow it self underground. Or the Genet needs plenty of climbing places to explore up there. Also Some of the animals that eat it or it eats is up in the canipes or on the higher level of the rain forests.
Day 10) Today we were out looking at the environment the Genets live in. I wish we could of done this in the beginning, but at lease we are doing it now. We were exploring are normal path for a little while then we decided to go a different way, since I only had a few more days left her in the African Rainforest. I thought That was fun, but we were still in the dark and we were going no ones gone before. So I was nervess to see were he wanted to take me. We went to this little watering hole.
Like the Angolan Genet needs to have soft "Cleaner" dirt to burrow it self underground. Or the Genet needs plenty of climbing places to explore up there. Also Some of the animals that eat it or it eats is up in the canipes or on the higher level of the rain forests.
Day 10) Today we were out looking at the environment the Genets live in. I wish we could of done this in the beginning, but at lease we are doing it now. We were exploring are normal path for a little while then we decided to go a different way, since I only had a few more days left her in the African Rainforest. I thought That was fun, but we were still in the dark and we were going no ones gone before. So I was nervess to see were he wanted to take me. We went to this little watering hole.
Day 16) Sorry I have not written, But the past few days have been not quite exciting. I have been just heading home.
Day 11 we went to a different camp to see if they had more activity and they did not. So that day was a traveling day.
Today we also found the limiting factor for the Genet. There was many of them but he number one was hunting and shooting them. The Genet currently becoming less visible in the wild and more visible in homes. There are many limiting factors that can contribute to the population in the Genet community. Such as disease, genetic malfunctions, deforestation, climate change, and predators. However the number one is hunting and being taken out to the wild for in house population. Also consists of there habitat being torn down and ruined by the people trying to get the FOREST! There are many different reasons why animals become distinct beyond what is displayed, but for the Genet they are having problems with small problems that have a HUGE impact on the survival of this animal.
Day 11 we went to a different camp to see if they had more activity and they did not. So that day was a traveling day.
Today we also found the limiting factor for the Genet. There was many of them but he number one was hunting and shooting them. The Genet currently becoming less visible in the wild and more visible in homes. There are many limiting factors that can contribute to the population in the Genet community. Such as disease, genetic malfunctions, deforestation, climate change, and predators. However the number one is hunting and being taken out to the wild for in house population. Also consists of there habitat being torn down and ruined by the people trying to get the FOREST! There are many different reasons why animals become distinct beyond what is displayed, but for the Genet they are having problems with small problems that have a HUGE impact on the survival of this animal.
Limiting Factor
Day 12 we had so movement on the GPS, but only about 2 kilometer every 5 hours. I suspected it was tired form partying all night. I got some wired looks after that, but hen they laugh.
Day 13 was not to bad, all we did was look around at all of the villages and asked so Questions on if they see any genets. We had a man told us where we should look because he sees the animals characteristics that we explained to him.
Day 14, Today was my second to last day in this marvolise rain forest. I wish I could of done more, but that only gives me an excuse to come back. All we did was pack up and do the last search to see what all of the other ecologist found.
Day 15, Day is over and now I have to fly in an airplane for 21 hours. YAAAA :(
Day 13 was not to bad, all we did was look around at all of the villages and asked so Questions on if they see any genets. We had a man told us where we should look because he sees the animals characteristics that we explained to him.
Day 14, Today was my second to last day in this marvolise rain forest. I wish I could of done more, but that only gives me an excuse to come back. All we did was pack up and do the last search to see what all of the other ecologist found.
Day 15, Day is over and now I have to fly in an airplane for 21 hours. YAAAA :(