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The fossa Cryptoprocta ferox was discovered by Alfred William Bennett in 1833 and is currently classed as endangered it is an EEP species (part of an European Endangered species breeding Program).
The fossa is the largest carnivore found on the island of Madagascar, and is a member of the family Viverridae, sub family Cryptoproctinae. It is the only member of this genus and is therefore monotypic. The Viverridae also includes civets and genets. The fossa are one of the largest viverrids.
Fossas are cathemeral, meaning they are active during the day and at night and they are found all over Madagascar except for the central highland plateau, which has been highly deforested. In 2000 it was estimated that there were 2500 fossas in the wild (IUCN 2000). It is thought that higher densities of fossa occur in the western forests due to a higher concentration of potential prey (Garbutt 1999).
Fossas are generally solitary animals, with males and females coming together only to breed. Juveniles can stay with the mother for between 1 year to 18 months (based on captive records).
The natural breeding season for the fossa is between late September and October (this is between April and May in captivity, Northern Hemisphere). After a gestation period of 53 - 60 days 1 - 6 young are born, fully furred the fur is soft and greyish in colour. Eyes open at 14 days and at six weeks cubs eyes begin to change colour from blue to brown. External development is relatively slow, with young reaching adult size at 2 years and sexual maturity reached at around 3 years (Winkler 1996). Longevity has not been recorded in the wild, but captive records state between 15 and 20 years.
The morphological appearance of the fossa is catlike, with a longer face and larger rostrum, the muzzle is rounded, as are the ears, they are well pronounced. The fossa has an exceptionally long tail likened to that of a primate, this is used for balance as the fossa is arboreal in its behaviour but also spends time on the ground.
Fossas are typically 140 - 170 cms in length from head to tail, approx half of this is tail. The fur is short and a medium brown to red colour blending into cream on the underside, males sometimes have reddish undersides.
Both sexes possess a scent gland in the anal region which produces a pungent and often foul smelling scent, this is used to mark territories.
The fossa faces survival threats due to the loss of forest habitat and prey availability. Lemurs feature largely in the diet of the fossa, it is also said to prey on other smaller mammals and birds.
Introduced species onto the island also pose a threat to the fossa as they feed on similar prey items to the fossa, including the Giant Jumping Rat Hypogeomys antimena. It has been recorded that the fossa also preys on domestic livestock (IUCN 2000) possibly as a result of the deforestation this behaviour gives them a pest status among natives.
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