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Fossa (animal)
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The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) ( or ) is a mammal endemic to Madagascar. A member of family Eupleridae, it is closely related to the mongoose. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar. (The largest carnivore on Madagascar is the Nile crocodile.)
a males are 75–80 centimetres (29–31 in) long, plus a tail which is 70–90 centimetres (27–35 in) long; they weigh 6–10 kilograms (13–22 lb).
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Encyclopedia
The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) ( or ) is a mammal endemic to Madagascar. A member of family Eupleridae, it is closely related to the mongoose. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar. (The largest carnivore on Madagascar is the Nile crocodile.)
Anatomy
Fossa males are 75–80 centimetres (29–31 in) long, plus a tail which is 70–90 centimetres (27–35 in) long; they weigh 6–10 kilograms (13–22 lb). Females are 65–70 centimetres (25–27 in) with a similar-sized tail; they weigh 5–7 kilograms (11–15 lb).
The fossa is a very agile animal. It can leap from tree to tree and displays a squirrel-like agility. The fossa is extremely catlike in appearance and behaviour; it is often likened to the clouded leopard, a felid native to southeast Asia.
Behavior and habitat
Recent observations indicate the fossa may not be as nocturnal as was once thought. The rarity of this animal likely contributed to the belief that the fossa is entirely nocturnal, but recent scientific study has found that it is active both during the day and night, depending on season and prey availability.
One of the biomes hosting the fossa is the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. The best place to see the fossa is in the Kirindy Forest, located about 70 kilometres north of the city of Morondava.
Lifespan
Fossa pups are born blind and toothless. They are dependent on their mother for about 1 year, and do not even leave the nest until they are four months old. The fossa does not breed until it is about four years old. It has been known to live 20 years in captivity.
Phylogeny
Though most still classify and accept the fossa (along with its close relative the Falanouc) as part of the family of viverrids, some have recently reclassified it in a new family of Malagasy civets and mongooses: Eupleridae.
Diet
The fossa is a carnivore that hunts small to medium sized animals, from fish to birds. It is particularly adept at hunting lemurs, and is the predominant predator of many species, with only Madagascar's large snakes having any other significant predatory impact. The fossil record of Madagascar has yielded the remains of a giant, recently extinct fossa, Cryptoprocta spelea. It was about long, 20% longer than a big modern fossa, and weighed about 17 kg. This species is believed to have preyed upon the larger, ape-sized lemurs that inhabited Madagascar until humans settled on island.
The fossa has no natural predators, but may be consumed incidentally by the Nile crocodile.
Conservation status
The fossa is only found on the island of Madagascar (a story common to much of the native fauna). In 2000, Luke Dollar (Mustelid, Viverrid & Procyonid Specialist Group) certified there were fewer than 2,500 mature individuals in fragmented areas in continuing decline. This certification earned the fossa the status of Endangered (EN – C2a) by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Previously, the fossa was listed as 'vulnerable'. The fossa is listed as a Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix II animal, which puts restrictions on its export and trade.
External links
- ARKive -
- Lioncrusher's Domain Animal Information Page.
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