The Common Genet is a generalist, adaptable carnivore, in terms of both habitat and diet. In general, abundant vegetation cover providing access to food and resting sites (including forests, riverbank vegetation and scrubland) is key for the species (Santos et al. 2016). In areas where vegetation cover is scarce, the Common Genet requires the presence of rocks or woodland pastures, often using tree hollows as resting sites (Carvalho et al. 2014). The species generally avoids anthropised and urban areas, although it can sometimes be observed at the proximity of farms and villas.

The Common Genet can almost occupy any trophic position along the generalist-to-specialist continuum, depending on prey availability and abundance. Diets from Mediterranean environments tend to be more diverse and shifted towards poikilothermic prey (arthropods and reptiles) while small mammals and birds dominate in the northern portion of its European range, reflecting the opportunistic feeding behaviour of the species (Virgós et al. 1999, Rosalino and Santos-Reis 2002). The staple food, when available, is the field mouse Apodemus sylvaticus (Le Jacques and Lodé 1994, Rosalino and Santos-Reis 2002). Fruits are also consumed, mainly in autumn (Camps 2015).

In Europe, the Common Genet occurs as the result of historical introduction (prior to 1500 CE) and is present across continental Portugal and Spain, and southwestern France (mainly south of the Loire River and west of the Rhône River). It is also found on the Mediterranean islands of Majorca, Ibiza, and Cabrera (Balearic Islands). There have also been scattered records from northern and eastern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany (Gaubert et al. 2008, Léger and Ruette 2010, Pesaresi and Ruedi 2020). The species seems to be expanding its range beyond the Loire (France: in Bretagne and Centre) and in northwestern Italy (Gaubert et al. 2008, Mignone et al. 2010, Mazza and Mori 2023), such trend being possibly exacerbated by global warming (Papes et al. 2015, Camps et al. 2019). The species was likely introduced several times in Europe from around 700 AD (Gaubert et al. 2011, 2015a). In Europe, the species is thermophilic but can be found up to 1,350 m asl (Livet and Roeder 1987).

Outside of Europe, in its natural range, the Common Genet is widely distributed across the savannah zones of sub-Saharan Africa and in the forests of the Maghreb and southern Arabian Peninsula (Delibes and Gaubert 2013).

The Common Genet is globally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Gaubert et al. 2015b). The species is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention and on Annex V of the EU Habitats and Species Directive under a “Favourable” conservation status. In France, it is nationally protected by a ministerial decree (“Arrêté du 23 avril 2007 fixant la liste des mammifères terrestres protégés sur l’ensemble du territoire et les modalités de leur protection”). The species has been listed as Vulnerable in the “Liste rouge des mammifères de la région Centre” (Nature Centre 2012). In Spain, the Common Genet is under generic protection, as it is not included in the catalogue of invasive alien species (Real Decreto 630/2013, de 2 de agosto) and hunting is not allowed. In the Balearic Island (Spain), Common Genets are considered Least Concern (Viada 2021). In Andorra, it is included in the list of protected animal species of the Reglament d’espècies animals proteges of 2013. In Portugal, the common genet is protected by Law No 49/2005 relative to the preservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, but can be killed as part of predator controls (Lei da Caça: DL nº 251/92 de 12 de Novembro). The species is considered “Least Concern” on the Portuguese Red List of Threatened Species.

The Common Genet is present in many protected areas across Europe. Given the reliance of the species on vegetation cover, suitable networks of corridors (such as linear woody remnants; Pereira and Rodriguez 2010) should be set up to maintain the species in intensively exploited lands. Reforestation programs would also be beneficial (Sarmento et al. 2010, Camps and Alldredge 2013), as suggested by the species’ status improvement in Ibiza. Since Common Genets can be significantly impacted by road networks (Carvalho et al. 2018), the design of crossing structures should be encouraged. Given the ecosystem services linked to the feeding habits of the Common Genet (i.e., as a predator of rodents and insects, and a seed disperser), maintaining a non-pest status for the species throughout Europe is recommended.