Fossa (animal)

The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) (pronounced "FOO-sa"^{^{[http://www.madagascar-travel.net/feature04.html}}) is a mammal endemic to the island of Madagascar. The Fossa looks much like a cross between a dog and cat, although it is actually more closely related to the mongoose. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. (The largest carnivore on Madagascar is the Nile crocodile.)

Anatomy

Male Fossae are 75 to 80 cm (29 to 31 inches) long, plus a tail which is 70 to 90 cm (27 to 35 inches) long. They weigh 6 to 10 kg (13 to 22 lb). Female Fossae are 65 to 70 cm (25 to 27 inches) with a similar-sized tail. They weigh 5 to 7 kg (11 to 15 lbs).

The Fossa is a very agile animal. It can leap from tree to tree and display an agility similar to squirrels. The Fossa is extremely cat-like in appearance and behaviour; it is often likened to the clouded leopard, a similar-sized felid native to southeast Asia. It is so cat-like, that it was originally classified as a member of the family Felidae.

Behavior & Habitat

Recent observations indicate the Fossa may not be as nocturnal as was once thought. The rarity of these animals likely contributed to the belief that Fossa are entirely nocturnal, but recent scientific study has found that they are active both during the day and at night, depending on season and prey availability.^{^*} One of the biomes hosting the Fossa is the Madagascar dry deciduous forests.

Lifespan

Baby Fossae (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. Fossae do not breed until they are about three years old.

Fossae have been known to live 20 years in captivity.

The best place to see Fossa is in the Kirindy Forest, which is located about 70km north of the city of Morondava.

Diet

The Fossa is a carnivore. It is a ferocious hunter that eats small to medium sized animals, from fish to birds, but is particularly adept at hunting lemurs, and is the predominant predator for many species. For example, it and the boa constrictor are the only predators of all the lemur species. Malagasy folklore often exaggerates the ferocity of the fossa, claiming that it will prey upon cattle, or even humans. The fossil record of Madagascar has yielded the remains of a prehistoric fossa species approaching a lion in size. This species was believed to have preyed upon the larger, ape-sized lemurs that inhabited Madagascar until the island was settled by man. Fossae have no natural predators, but may be consumed incidentally by the Nile crocodile.

Conservation status

The Fossa is only found on the island of Madagascar (like many other unique animals that have been found there). In 2000, Luke Dollar (Mustelid, Viverrid & Procyonid Specialist Group) certified there were less than 2500 mature individuals in fragmented areas in continuing decline. This certification earned the Fossa the status of Endangered (EN – C2a) by the IUCN World Conservation Union. Previously, the Fossa was listed as 'vulnerable'. The Fossa is listed as a CITES Appendix II animal, which puts restrictions on its export and trade.

Popular culture

Fossae were featured characters in the DreamWorks film Madagascar, where the resident lemurs are preyed on by them, and are terrified by the mere mention of them.

References

Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
National Wildlife Federation. May/June 2000. World's Strangest Predator? Retrieved May 30, 2005.
Enchanted Learning. Fossa. Retrieved May 30, 2005.
IUCN Redlist Species 5760. Retrieved May 30, 2005.

External links

ARKive - images and movies of the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
Lioncrusher's Domain Animal Information Page. Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
BBC clip showing Fossas pull apart during mating

Fauna of Madagascar | Euplerids

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