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 …

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.

Although it shares some adaptive similarities with cats, the fossa is closely related to the mongoose and civet. Its coat is short and dense, usually a rich brown color with a golden tinge and a lighter-colored belly. The fossa's tail makes up about half of the animal's length!

Growing up to 6 feet long from nose to tail tip, and weighing up to 26 pounds, the fossa is a slender-bodied catlike creature with little resemblance to its mongoose cousins. It is the largest...

It has a mongoose-like head, relatively longer than that of a cat, although with a muzzle that is broad and short, and with large but rounded ears. It has medium brown eyes set relatively wide apart with pupils that contract to slits.

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, and has short legs and sharp, retractile claws. The fur is close, dense, and grayish to reddish brown.

These cat-like predators have been equated to miniature cougars. They have slender bodies, muscular limbs, and very long tails. Their fur is dark or golden brown, and is solid in color.

May 27, 2024 · The Fossa is an animal with short but dense red to dark brown fur, a small cat-like head, a dog-like snout, large forward-facing eyes, and small, rounded ears. In spite of being related to Mongooses , the Fossa has quite a number of feline features including curved, retractable claws and slightly webbed feet which both help when it is moving ...

Nov 23, 2017 · The fossa is a mid-sized carnivore that looks like a cross between a big cat and a mongoose. It has a powerful, puma -like body and muscular limbs. Its tail is nearly as long as its body.

Cat, Dog, or Mongoose? The fossa was once thought to be a type of cat. Researchers have now concluded that it’s related to mongooses despite having a body with several cat-like features and a dog-like muzzle. The animal belongs to the family Eupleridae and has the scientific name Cryptoprocta ferox. "Crypto" comes from the Ancient Greek word ...