Animal profile

Fossa

Cryptoprocta ferox

MammaliaDense tropical rainforest and dry deciduous forestVulnerable

Field profile

The fossa is Madagascar's largest native carnivoran, a slender, cat-like predator actually related to mongooses within the family Eupleridae. Agile climbers with semi-retractable claws and long tails, fossas hunt lemurs and other forest animals largely alone and mostly at night.

Published field notes

2026-09-07

Fossa

Young female fossas temporarily look like males

Before reaching sexual maturity, female fossas grow an enlarged, spine-covered pseudo-penis and rust-orange fur matching adult males, a disguise thought to reduce harassment, then lose both traits within a couple of years.

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