Fossa | Wildlife

Fossa, a mammal related to the mongoose. It lives in the forested areas of the island of Madagascar. Resembling a small cougar, the fossa typically has thick, short, reddish-brown fur. The length of the fossa, excluding its tail, is generally 24 to 31 inches (61 to 77 cm); its tail is of similar length. Its shoulder height is approximately 15 inches (37 cm). The fossa is a solitary, nocturnal animal. Although it eats mainly birds and small mammals, it also feeds on insects, amphibians, and reptiles. An agile climber, the fossa can pursue its prey through trees. Typically, two to four young are born after a gestation period of two to four months.

The Fossa is the largest carnivore native to Madagascar.  Their specialty happens to be feasting on lemurs.  If you have seen the cartoon, Madagascar, then you may remember the lemurs trembling in fear just by mentioning the word “Fossa”.  So, what makes the fossa such a deadly predator? Well, it doesn’t just look like a cat but it has some of the same adaptations as the successful felines.  For example, they have retractable claws which assist in climbing. 

These claws actually allow the fossa to climb down a tree head first.  I believe I have tried that at some point in my life but it didn’t turn out too well.  As well, they have a very long tail which provides additional balance while hunting in the trees.  Oddly enough they use this tail the same way a tight rope walker uses that long pole. Maybe the circus should hire a few of these Madagascar predators.  Unfortunately, the lemurs don’t catch a break on the ground either.  The fossa is incredbily fast and extremely agile compared to the lemurs.  This basically spells out trouble for the little lemurs which is why they make up more than 50% of the fossa diet. Human beings are the fossa's only predator. Because it is widely hunted and its habitat is being destroyed, the fossa's numbers are dwindling. The fossa is Cryptoprocta ferox. It belongs to the subfamily Cryptoproctinae of the family Viverridae.

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