Fossa (animal)
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| Cryptoprocta ferox Bennett, 1833 |
The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) (pronounced "FOO-sa"[2][3] or Fah-suh) is a mammal endemic to Madagascar. A member of family Eupleridae, it is closely related to the mongoose. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. (The largest carnivore on Madagascar is the Nile crocodile.)
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[edit] Anatomy
Fossa males are 75–80 cm (29–31 in) long, plus a tail which is 70–90 cm (27–35 in) long; they weigh 6–10 kg (13–22 lb). Females are 65–70 cm (25–27 in) with a similar-sized tail; they weigh 5–7 kg (11–15 lb).
The Fossa is a very agile animal. It can leap from tree to tree and display an agility similar to squirrels. The Fossa is extremely cat-like in appearance and behaviour; it is often likened to the Clouded Leopard, a similar-sized felid native to southeast Asia.
[edit] Behavior and habitat
Recent observations indicate the Fossa may not be as nocturnal as was once thought. The rarity of this animal likely contributed to the belief that the Fossa is entirely nocturnal, but recent scientific study has found that it is active both during the day and at night, depending on season and prey availability.[4] One of the biomes hosting the Fossa is the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. The best place to see the Fossa is in the Kirindy Forest, located about 70 km north of the city of Morondava.
[edit] Lifespan
Fossa pups are born blind and toothless. They are dependent on their mother for about 1 year, and do not even leave the nest until they are four months old. The Fossa does not breed until it is about four years old.
The Fossa has been known to live 20 years in captivity.
[edit] Phylogeny
Though most still classify and accept that the Fossa (along with its close relative the Falanouc) is part of the family of viverrids, some have recently reclassified it in a new family of Malagasy civets and mongooses: Eupleridae.
[edit] Diet
The Fossa is a carnivore. It is a ferocious hunter that eats small to medium sized animals, from fish to birds, but is particularly adept at hunting lemurs, and is the predominant predator for many species, with only Madagascar's large snakes having any other significant predatory impact. Malagasy folklore often exaggerates the ferocity of the Fossa, claiming that it will prey upon cattle, or even humans. The fossil record of Madagascar has yielded the remains of a giant, recently extinct Fossa (Cryptoprocta spelea), which was about a quarter larger than the living species,[5] making it close to the size of an Ocelot. This species was believed to have preyed upon the larger lemurs that inhabited Madagascar until the island was settled by man. The Fossa has no natural predators, but may be consumed incidentally by the Nile crocodile.
[edit] Conservation status
The Fossa is only found on the island of Madagascar (like many other unique animals that have been found there). In 2000, Luke Dollar (Mustelid, Viverrid & Procyonid Specialist Group) certified there were less than 2,500 mature individuals in fragmented areas in continuing decline. This certification earned the Fossa the status of Endangered (EN – C2a) by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Previously, the Fossa was listed as 'vulnerable'.[1] The Fossa is listed as a Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix II animal, which puts restrictions on its export and trade.
[edit] Popular culture
A group of Fossa is the main villains in the DreamWorks film Madagascar, in which they prey on the resident lemurs, who are terrified by the mere mention of them. The movie spelled the name of the animal as it is pronounced: "Foosa", but the correct spelling is used in the subtitles.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Dollar (2000). Cryptoprocta ferox. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
- ^ Hartley, Karen. Track the Fossa. Nova website. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Croke, Vicki. The Deadliest Carnivore. Madagascar-Travel.net. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Pickrell, John (2004-06-02). Tracking the Fossa, Africa's Elusive Island Predator. National Geographic News. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Goodman S. M., Rasoloarison R. M. and Ganzhorn J. U. (2004). "On the specific identification of subfossil Cryptoprocta (Mammalia, Carnivora) from Madagascar". Zoosystema 26 (1): 129-143.
- Enchanted Learning. Fossa. Retrieved May 30, 2005.
- Koepfli et al., "Molecular systematics of the hyaenidae." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Mar. 2006: pgs. 603-620
[edit] External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
- Lioncrusher's Domain Animal Information Page. Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
- BBC clip showing fossas pull apart during mating
