Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)

Mar 26, 2023 News

=Interesting Creature=

Kaieteur News – Many might be familiar with the Fossa from the popular animated film called Madagascar. In the movie it was the most feared character living on the African Island of Madagascar until Alex the lion arrived.

The Fossa

Like the movie suggests, Fossas are indeed the apex predators of Madagascar. Fossas are relatively small when compared to other predators, butthey are the largest mammalian carnivore on the island.

What is most interesting about Fossas is that they appear to be a “three in one creature”. It measures about six feet long and could sometimes look like a dog with cat features. It also has a very long tail measuring up to 28 inches which makes it appear like a monkey too.

The elusive Fossa is a solitary animal and spends its time both in the trees and on the ground. It is active at night as well as during the day. They choose to mate mainly in trees and its hind legs can pivot 180 degrees, allowing it to climb down tree trunks head first.

Fossa pups playing in the trees

Females give birth to an annual litter of two to four young, and adulthood is reached after about three years.

Fossas can live up to 20 years in the wild and is known to feed on lemurs and most other creatures it can get its claws on; from wild pigs to mice.

Unlike mongooses, and more like felines, the Fossa has retractable claws and fearsome catlike teeth for crushing the bones of its preys. Its coat is reddish brown and its muzzle resembles that of a dog.

Presently, Fossas are threatened due to habitat loss. Currently less than ten percent of Madagascar’s original, intact forest cover – the Fossa’s only home – remains today.

Source of information: (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/fossa)