One of the rare species of Madagascar, this animal often lives in the forest for fear of being hunted by the local population. Half cat, half dog it is the largest carnivore of Madagascar. It is probably the result of an evolution of carnivorous mammals that arrived on the island several years ago.
General information on the Fossa of Madagascar :
The fossa is a ferocious predator with a strange and muscular appearance that is only found in Madagascar. Resembling a cross between a cougar, a dog, and a monkey, it is also known as Cryptoprocta ferox. This animal is as comfortable on the ground as in the trees and can move with ease thanks to its semi-retractable claws. It is very good at hunting lemurs, which are its main prey, and it can hunt during the day even though it is more active at night and has an aggressive character. Some inhabitants living near its habitat fear and hate it because it sometimes attacks chickens and pigs. It is regularly seen in the Kirindy Forest Reserve and is classified in the family Eupleridae, which includes several carnivores of Madagascar. It is an adaptive animal that can live in hot and desert places as well as in humid places and at high altitudes.
All you need to know about Fossa:
- The Fossa has a feline head with large eyes and a dog mouth
- A long tail that serves as a pendulum
- Powerful semi-retractable claws
- Short limbs and powerful enough to confer its agility
It is an endemic animal of Madagascar (unfortunately threatened with extinction because of deforestation and hunting) and is generally found everywhere on the island except in the central region. It is rarer to find, but it is particularly fond of the dry forests of northern and western Madagascar. It can be seen regularly in the Kirindy Forest Reserve in Morondava. For those who do not have time for a long stay in Madagascar, it can also be seen in the botanical and zoological park of Tsimbazaza.
Its weight varies from 5 to 10 kg, and it measures from 60 to 80 cm long, plus a tail that is approximately 65 to 70 cm long. It has a height at the withers of about 35 cm.
The fossa hunts mainly lemurs but also birds, reptiles, and small mammals. It can reach a longevity of 20 years in captivity.
The fossa has reproductive organs similar to those of hyenas and cats, but each has its own characteristics. The male’s reproductive organ is long and spiny, while the females have a rather large clitoris. Males and females meet briefly during the breeding season. The female settles in a tree and calls to attract the males who come to court her. She will give birth to 2 to 4 cubs in a den and will not leave the den until they have completed their development at 4 months.
