STUCK UP AN ALMOND TREE.

    My daughter and grandson came running in the other day, saying quick
   "grab a camera and a book on small mammals". So l did. They said that
    there was a mystery animal stuck an almond tree, by the little corral, at
    rear of our neighbour Annas cotijo. The same place as the sighting of the lbex
    eating the very same tree.

     Anna had been alerted by, what she thought was a cat fight between her
    cat and another tabby. They were having a tussel on the ground. So she
    had grabbed a hose pipe and sprayed them to break them up. The mystery
    cat had fled up the almond tree and was looking down at us.

    It had along nose, trangular white markings on its face, under its eyes and
    black markings on the sides of its face.  The ears were large and transluscent
    in the sun.A black line ran down its back. It was generally grey with black spotted
    markings down its body. The tail was long with bands of black. The throat and
    chin were also white. It was rather cat like but had shorter limbs and a longer body.
    A Genet. Wow what a pretty little creature.

     There high in the tree it sat watching us. One does not often see them as they are
    noctural. My daughter climbed onto the roof opposite to take some photos. The inset
    to cocksparrow is this very little animal. So we stayed to look awhile. It moved about
    the tree with great agility, almost like a squirrel. Poor creature, it looked tired. So
    we left. Anna later said that it had stayed all day and left when the sun sank!

    These lovely animals were first bought to Spain as domestic pets by the Maghreb,
    many many years ago. Their diet includes, scorpians, centipedes, lizards, rodents,
    and many other nastys. Also birds, bird eggs, fruit and olives. All in all a very
    usefull pet to have around. If taken as kittens they can be tamed and are very
    loyal to their adoptive humans. But can become quite distraught if separated.
    Captive Genets have been known to live for ten years and much more.