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 …

Fossa pups make a purring sound when nursing or near their mother. Fossas are ready to start their first family when they are about four years old, and breeding season is between September and December.

Each fossa has scent glands on its chest and under the base of the tail. Rubbing the glands on rocks, trees, or even just the ground leaves a message to other fossas.

The unusual-looking fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) from Madagascar looks like a puma and has both canine and feline features. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island, and preys mainly on lemurs, …

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 …

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,...

Nov 27, 2025 · According to Merriam-Webster, a fossa is "a slender, long-tailed, carnivorous mammal (Cryptoprocta ferox of the family Eupleridae) of Madagascar that has retractile claws, usually reddish …

The Fossa is a carnivorous mammal, primarily feeding on a variety of prey including lemurs, rodents, birds, and reptiles. It is an apex predator in Madagascar and plays a crucial role in controlling the …

Deep within the ancient forests of Madagascar lurks a creature of mystery and myth, an animal often mistaken for a wild cat, yet possessing a lineage all its own. This is the Fossa, a truly unique …

Learn more about the fossa at the Animal Facts. Here you can learn about their appearance, habitat, diet, lifespan, behaviour, breeding, status and facts.