Fossa

Cryptoprocta ferox

Fossa

“ There are legends that a fossa can contract its eye pupils to make them totally disappear, that the fragrance it leaves behind kills poultry and lemurs, and that it sneaks into homes to kidnap babies from their cribs. A further story describes fossas licking a sleeping individual in a way that induces a deep slumber. The fossa was considered taboo in our language and became a fady. ”

– Michel Rasolomampionona

Scientific Taxonomy & Character Information

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Suborder: Feliformia

Family: Eupleridae

Genus: Cryptoprocta

Species: Cryptoprocta ferox

Descendant: Eupleridae

Named by: Edward Turner Bennett

Year Published: 1833

Size: length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5 and 8.6 kg (12 and 19 lb)

Lifespan: 20 years

Type: 

Title: 

Other Name(s)/Alias(es): none

Pantheon: 

Time Period: Early Miocene–Holocene

Alignment: Curious

Threat Level: ★★★★

Diet: Omnivorous 🥩🌿

Elements: Normal, combat, fae

Inflicts: n/a

Weaknesses: Combat, fae

Casualties: none

Based On: itself

Conservation Status: 

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox; Sorabe: فوِساَ) is a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the carnivoran family Eupleridae. 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.

Etymology

Its common name comes from the word fosa (Sorabe: فُسَ; Malagasy pronunciation: [ˈfusə̥]) in Malagasy, an Austronesian language, and some authors have adopted the Malagasy spelling in English. The word is similar to posa (meaning "cat") in the Iban language (another Austronesian language) from Borneo, and both terms may derive from trade languages from the 1600s.


However, an alternative etymology suggests a link to another word that comes from Malay: pusa refers to the Malayan weasel (Mustela nudipes), or in Tagalog: pusa for any kind of cat. The Malay word pusa could have become posa for cats in Borneo.

Physical Appearance

The fossa resembles a cat more than a mongoose and possesses retractable claws and menacing cat-like teeth. It has a reddish brown coat, and it has a dog-like muzzle.

Abilities

It is known to consume lemurs and the majority of other animals it can get its hands on, including mice and wild pigs. It is the largest carnivore and top predator that is native to Madagascar. To catch one, a predator must be faster than the lemur, and the fossa can outmaneuver the swiftest lemur. It can jump, scurry, and dash, revealing little more than a tawny blur. The fossa is an ambush hunter; it uses its forelimbs and claws to catch its prey, killing it quickly with a bite from its sharp teeth.


As the largest endemic predator on Madagascar, this dietary flexibility combined with a flexible activity pattern has allowed it to exploit a wide variety of niches available throughout the island, making it a potential keystone species for the Madagascar ecosystems.

Ecology

The fossa is solitary for the majority of the year; however, pairs have often been photographed near the breeding season (October–December). There is a record of what appeared to be an adult traveling with a juvenile in May and another of a very small Fosa (possibly an infant or very early juvenile) in September.

Behavior

Fossas are the largest carnivores on the island of Madagascar, where they feed on a variety of mammals, including lemurs and bush pigs. They typically hunt and live alone. Like most species on Madagascar, fossas are threatened by habitat loss. It is generally feared by the Malagasy people and is often protected by their fady taboo.


Both in the wild and in captivity, fossas are usually not aggressive and sometimes even allow themselves to be stroked by a zookeeper or others, but adult males in particular may try to bite.

Distribution and Habitat

The fossa is the most widely distributed of the Malagasy carnivores, found throughout western and eastern forests, although it is very scarce in most areas; it is also present, although rare, in forests on the central plateau and in spiny southern forests. It has been recorded from sea level up to altitudes above 2,500 m asl (2,600 m asl on the Andringitra Massif), but is rare above 1,500 m. It occurs above the tree line in mountainous areas.


Tamed

The fossa isn't already tame, you can tame fossa with eggs, meat, or berries.

Lore

Coming soon.

Known Individuals

Gallery

See also: none

Main Theme Music

Foreign Languages

Trivia

References