The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox; / ˈfɒsə / FOSS-ə or / ˈfuːsə / FOO-sə; [3] Malagasy: [ˈfusə̥]) is a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the carnivoran family Eupleridae.

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.

A relative of the mongoose, the fossa is unique to the forests of Madagascar, an African island in the Indian Ocean. Growing up to 6 feet long from nose to tail tip, and weighing up to 26 pounds,...

A fossa uses its sharp claws to climb up and down trees while hunting its prey. The fossa is an intelligent, agile animal that moves with ease high up in the trees of its forest home, even though the animal can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms). That extra-long tail helps the fossa balance and jump from branch to branch.

The Fossa (pronounced ‘foosa’ or ‘foosh’) is a rare and elusive cat-like carnivorous mammal native to the island of Madagascar, off the East coast of Africa. It belongs to a family of carnivorans that are closely related to the mongoose family.

Mar 7, 2025 · fossa, (Cryptoprocta ferox), largest carnivore native to Madagascar, a catlike forest dweller of the civet family, Viverridae. The fossa grows to a length of about 1.5 metres (5 feet), including a tail about 66 centimetres (26 inches) long, …

The fossa is a predatory mammal native to the island of Madagascar. They slightly resemble cats, but are actually more closely related to mongoose. These medium-sized animals are the largest predators on the island. Read on to learn about the fossa.

May 27, 2024 · The Fossa is a medium-sized, carnivorous animal that is located entirely on the island of Madagascar. The Fossa belongs to the group of Malagasy Carnivores, which are thought to have descended from ancestors that were Mongoose-like, that arrived in Madagascar from Africa almost 24 million years ago.

Fossas are fascinating members of a unique Malagasy mammalian radiation. They are charismatic animals and are important in ecotourism. Positive Impacts; ecotourism; research and education; Economic Importance for Humans: Negative. Among humans, fossas have an exaggerated reputation for savagery and destruction.