Fossa Cat
Cryptoprocta ferox
WILD STATUS
Endangered
Endangered
DISTRIBUTION
Only found on Madagascar in coastal regions and in mountainous areas up to 2500 ft.
SIZE
Males weigh 6-10 kg (13-22 lbs), females weigh 5-7 kg (11-15 lbs).
Length 60-75 cm (24”-30”). Height 36-40 cm (14”-16”).
Length 60-75 cm (24”-30”). Height 36-40 cm (14”-16”).
HABITAT
Rainforests and lower altitude bush.
REPRODUCTION
2-4 young born in a burrow, tree hole or den after a 3 month gestation. Mother is sole caretaker.
DIET
Fossa are the dominant predator on Madagascar. Their main food is lemurs as well as birds, insects and reptiles.
2-4 young born in a burrow, tree hole or den after a 3 month gestation. Mother is sole caretaker.
DIET
Fossa are the dominant predator on Madagascar. Their main food is lemurs as well as birds, insects and reptiles.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Fossas are extremely shy and flee from human contact.
- Pronounced “foosh” in Malgasy, the language of Madagascar
- Fossa are persecuted relentlessly as a chicken thief by farmers.
- Madagascar has only eight percent of its forests left. Loss of habitat is the biggest concern for the survival of the fossa.
- They are solitary except for during the mating season, nocturnal and crepuscular.
- Although the Fossa looks like a cross between a dog, a cat and an otter, it is a member of the mongoose family.
- Has retractable claws and razor-like teeth making the fossa a formidable predator.
- Fossas have excellent balance and tree-climbing ability and can leap from one tree to another and clamber down the trunk with the agility of a squirrel.
- Born blind, toothless and about as large as a kitten, baby fossas don’t open their eyes until they are three weeks old and remain in the burrow until they are four months old.
- The fossa has flat-footed (plantigrade) stance and webbed feet.
- They are incredible climbers and can run down tree trunks head first and leap from one vertical tree to another with great ease.
HABITAT RANGE
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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