Fossa
Cryptoprocta ferox
The fossa is the largest member of the carnivore family to be found in Madagascar. The fossa’s closest relatives are the civets, mongoose and meerkats.
Measurements
Size: Head/Body Length 61 - 80cm
Weight: 7 - 12kg
Habitat
Fossas live in the forests and woodland savannahs of Madagascar, from coastal lowlands to mountainous areas.
Diet
Their main prey appears to be lemurs, which they chase through the trees. They will also feed upon giant jumping rats, bush pigs, tenrecs and even birds and reptiles.
Breeding
Females are pregnant for around 8 - 10 weeks and give birth to 2 - 3 young in a den. Typical maternal dens are old termite mounds.
Africa Alive! has a very successful breeding record for fossa, with 17 young born here in the past. Our most recent litter was born in 2015 to our female ‘Tana’ and male ‘Edward’.
Conservation
The fossa is widely hunted by people and has been seriously affected by habitat loss due to deforestation and fragmentation.
Threat Level
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