The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox; / ˈfɒsə / FOSS-ə or / ˈfuːsə / FOO-sə; [3] Malagasy: [ˈfusə̥]) is a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the carnivoran family Eupleridae. The fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar, as it has convergently evolved many cat -like features. Adults ...
The fossa is an intelligent, agile animal that moves with ease high up in the trees of its forest home, even though the animal can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms). That extra-long tail helps the fossa balance and jump from branch to branch. Retractable claws like those of a cat and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst! Although it spends a lot of time in trees, the ...
Fossa Profile The Fossa (pronounced ‘foosa’ or ‘foosh’) is a rare and elusive cat-like carnivorous mammal native to the island of Madagascar, off the East
fossa, (Cryptoprocta ferox), largest carnivore native to Madagascar, a catlike forest dweller of the civet family, Viverridae. The fossa grows to a length of about 1.5 metres (5 feet), including a tail about 66 centimetres (26 inches) long, and has short legs and sharp, retractile claws. The fur is close, dense, and grayish to reddish brown. Generally most active at night, the fossa is both ...
The fossa is a solitary mammal that patrols territory as extensive as four square kilometers, marking its presence with scent from its anal gland. It is active during both the day and the night and is considered cathemeral; activity peaks may occur early in the morning, late in the afternoon, and late in the night.