Fossa Development

Stages of development:

• Infants

  • Eyes open after 2-3 weeks

  • Motor skills develop by 2-3 weeks

  • First solid food is taken about 3 months after birth

  • Cubs first leave the den after 4.5 months, and weaning follows shortly after

  • Weigh 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs) by one year of age

  • Permanent teeth are present by 20 months of age

• Juveniles

  • Remain with mother for around 1-2 years

• Adults

  • Live in solitude, separate from mother

  • Reach sexual maturity at around 3-4 years of age

  • Both sexes continue to reproduce until age 12-15 (in managed care)

• There is no difference between the development of male and female fossas