# Fossa (*Cryptoprocta ferox*) The fossa is a unique animal that looks like a mix between a cat and a dog! It is a great climber and loves to explore the trees in its home in Madagascar. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Forests ![Fossa](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cryptoprocta_Ferox.JPG&width=800) Photo: Ran Kirlian, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cryptoprocta_Ferox.JPG) ## Appearance The Fossa is a sleek, cat-like mammal with a reddish-brown coat and a very long tail almost equal to its body length. It has short, rounded ears, large forward-facing eyes, and a muscular, slender body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Eupleridae - **Genus:** Cryptoprocta ## Interesting facts - Fossas are actually related to mongooses, not cats! Wow! - Fossas can make purring sounds, just like house cats! - Juvenile female fossas temporarily look like males. Amazing! - They are Madagascar's only apex land predator. ## Special abilities - **Tree Descender:** Fossa can climb down trees head-first because of highly flexible ankle joints that help them grip branches. - **Retractable Claws:** Fossa has sharp, retractable claws, like a cat, that help them grip tree bark for amazing agility when climbing. - **Night Vision Hunter:** Fossa can hunt in the dark due to large, forward-facing eyes that gather more light, giving them excellent night vision. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-80 cm - **Weight:** 5.5-8.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 90-100 days ## Diet & Feeding A super hunter, the Fossa mostly eats lemurs, but also enjoys birds, reptiles, and insects. - **Primary Foods:** Lemurs, Birds, Reptiles, Rodents, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Ring-tailed Lemur](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ring-tailed-lemur) (*Lemur catta*) — Main prey species. - **Hunts:** Brown Lemur (*Eulemur fulvus*) — A significant food source. - **Hunts:** Common Tenrec (*Tenrec ecaudatus*) — Often preys on smaller mammals. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Fossas are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fossa? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Fossa? 70-80 cm ### How much does Fossa weigh? 5.5-8.6 kg ### How long does Fossa live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Fossa move? 55 km/h ### What does Fossa eat? A super hunter, the Fossa mostly eats lemurs, but also enjoys birds, reptiles, and insects. ### Where is Fossa usually found? Forests ### How does Fossa hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-and-aquarium) — Nebraska, US · Aquarium - [Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southern-nevada-zoological-botanical-park) — Nevada, US · Zoo - [Greensboro Science Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greensboro-science-center) — North Carolina, US · Zoo - [Happy Hollow Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/happy-hollow-park-and-zoo) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Fossa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/fossa) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Fossa: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fossa)