ANIMAL: Fossa Cyptoprocta ferox Type of Animal: Malagasy Carnivore Habitat: Forests and woodland savannas Location(s): Madagascar Appearance: Brown, cat-like animal with long tail, somewhat small ears, & gazing eyes. Food/Diet: Lemurs, tenrecs, lizards, birds, smaller civets, rodents, rabbits, pigs, fish, snakes including larger species, eggs, frogs, insects, goat kids, lambs, indri, aye-aye, tortoises, turtles, crocodile hatchlings Status in Wild: Threatened Conservation: Breeding in zoos and wildlife parks Lifestyle: Solitary, though some males can be found in small groups of 2-4 animals & have even been observed pack-hunting. Packs of a single female & 1-4 males occasionally occur. Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young-Pup Group-Pack Weight: Male-22 lbs Female-15 lbs Young-3.52 oz Gestation: 3 months Height: 1.2 ft Body Length: Male-2.5-2.6 ft Female-2.1-2.3 ft Life Span: Up to 20 years Tail Length: Male-1.25-1.3 ft Female-1.05-1.15 ft Only predators are Nile Crocodiles. Threatened due to killing of individuals as predators of poultry, pigs, lambs, & goat kids, deforestation, habitat loss, hunting, & disease. Territory fights between fossa deadly and vicious. Males and females very territorial. During breeding season, female goes up into tree, attracting a number of males. Males fight & occasionally kill each other w/ winning male (sometimes up to 4 males) mating w/ female. Once mating occurs, another female takes previous female’s place & if other males still have energy, fights occur once again. If only 1 or a few males left standing, then female mates w/ 1 or all of them & then they go their separate ways. Occasionally, 2 or 3 males may stay w/ the female. Male territories quite large, encompassing a few female territories. If alarmed, it will release musky smell from scent glands. Unlike others of its family, the Fossa has retractable claws. They’re very elusive. Pups stay w/ mom until they’re 1.5 years old. When they leave mom, they set up own territories. Territories marked w/ anal gland secretions. They’re quite arboreal & are great climbers. Sexually mature at 3 years old. Fun Fact(s): Got its fame from movie Madagascar. Well known for their ferocity. Pound for pound, these animals one of the most dangerous carnivores in the world-quite capable of tearing a person’s face off.
