Fossa

Fossa

Fosa, Fossa

4 languages
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Cryptoprocta ferox
Population size
2,635-8,626
Life Span
15-20 yrs
Top speed
56 km/h
Weight
5.5-8.6 kg
Length
70-80 cm

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox ; or ; Malagasy pronunciation: ;) is a carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the Eupleridae, a family of carnivorans closely related to the mongoose family Herpestidae.

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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 have a head-body length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5 and 8.6 kg (12 and 19 lb), with the males larger than the females. It has semi-retractable claws (meaning it can extend but not retract its claws fully) and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. A larger relative of the species, Cryptoprocta spelea, probably became extinct before 1400.

The species is widespread, although population densities are usually low. It is found solely in forested habitat, and actively hunts both by day and night. Over 50% of its diet consists of lemurs, the endemic primates found on the island; tenrecs, rodents, lizards, birds, and other animals are also documented as prey. Mating usually occurs in trees on horizontal limbs and can last for several hours. Litters range from one to six pups, which are born blind and toothless (altricial). Infants wean after 4.5 months and are independent after a year. Sexual maturity occurs around three to four years of age, and life expectancy in captivity is 20 years. The fossa is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. It is generally feared by the Malagasy people and is often protected by their fady taboo. The greatest threat to the fossa is habitat destruction.

Its classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of cats, yet other traits suggest a close relationship with viverrids. Its classification, along with that of the other Malagasy carnivores, influenced hypotheses about how many times mammalian carnivores have colonized Madagascar. With genetic studies demonstrating that the fossa and all other Malagasy carnivores are most closely related to each other forming a clade, recognized as the family Eupleridae, carnivorans are now thought to have colonized the island once, around 18–20 million years ago.

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Ca

Cathemeral

Ca

Carnivore

Ar

Arboreal

Te

Terrestrial

Cu

Cursorial

Al

Altricial

Is

Island endemic

Sc

Scansorial

Te

Territorial

Vi

Viviparous

Pr

Predator

Po

Polyandry

So

Solitary

No

Not a migrant

F

starts with

Vi

Vicious Animals
(collection)

Appearance

The unusual-looking fossa from Madagascar looks like a puma and has both canine and feline features. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island, and preys mainly on lemurs, pursuing them through the trees with remarkable speed and agility. The fossa is renowned for its appearance, its strength, and its peculiar mating rituals. It is declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The reserves where it currently lives are not large enough to support a manageable population, and urgent measures are necessary to secure the future of this unique mammal.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

Endemic to Madagascar, fossas are found throughout the island, though in the Central Highlands, it is only in certain areas, like the Andringitra Massif. This species inhabits all forested areas on Madagascar, from mountainous areas down to the coastal lowlands.

Fossa habitat map

Climate zones

Fossa habitat map
Fossa
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Habits and Lifestyle

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. The fossa spends most of its time high in the trees but does move about and hunt down on the ground too. During the day they usually rest in a cave, hollow tree, or abandoned termite mound. These animals are remarkably agile at both leaping and climbing, with great help from their long, slender tail. Because they move from place to place on their flat soles, this gives them more stability and balance when making precarious landings on branches. Fossas communicate using sounds, scents, and visual signals. Vocalizations include purring, a threatening call, and a call of fear, consisting of "repeated loud, coarse inhalations and gasps of breath". A long, high yelp may function to attract other fossas.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Fossas are carnivores, they eat small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. They will also prey on lemurs.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
September-October
PREGNANCY DURATION
3 months
BABY CARRYING
2-4 cubs
INDEPENDENT AGE
15-20 months
BABY NAME
cub

Fossas have a most unusual mating system. Mating takes place from September to October. A female will occupy a site on her own, high in a tree, and a number of males will congregate below, and compete for mating rights. Over the period of a week, the female mates with several of the males. Once she has left the site, another female takes it over the site and also mates with several of the males. This means fossas may have a polyandrous mating system. Such ‘mating trees’ are used over many years. 2 to 4 young are born about three months later, are blind and helpless when born, and weigh about 100 g. Weaning takes place at about 4-5 months, but young remain with their mothers until the age of 15-20 months. Observations of captive individuals indicate that sexual maturity is reached at the age of 4 years.

Population

Population threats

Habitat loss is amongst the main reasons for the decline in the fossa population, fragmented populations becoming isolated in the forest patches that remain. However, the most important threat to their survival is probably local farmers, who see fossas as significant predators of poultry.

Population number

The fossa is widely distributed in Madagascar but it is very scarce and rare in most areas. According to the IUCN Red List, the total fossa population size is between 2,635 and 8,626 adults. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) and its numbers continue to decrease.

Ecological niche

A fossa is the top mammalian predator on Madagascar, impacting the numbers of many species of small birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that they eat.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Fossa is said “foosa” and “foosh.”
  • Fossas go down a tree headfirst, the way squirrels do.
  • Fossas are related to mongooses, but until recently, were mistaken for a primitive sort of cat.
  • Fossas have retractable sharp claws which they use for hunting as well as for hanging onto trees.
  • A fossa can travel as far as 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) during a day.
  • The fossa and the modern mongoose come from the same ancestor, one which arrived on the island of Madagascar around 21 million years ago.

References

1. Fossa Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossa_(animal)
2. Fossa on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/5760/0

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