Fossa
Cryptoprocta ferox

With a catlike appearance, climbing and leaping skills, and an affinity for stalking and pouncing on prey, the fossa was once thought to belong to the cat family. This mongoose relative is the largest carnivore on Madagascar and plays an important role as predator in keeping prey populations in check.

Fact File

Body Length: 2 to 2.5 ft

Tail Length: 1.6 to 2.3 ft

Weight: 21 to 44 lbs

Lifespan: Up to 17 yrs

Habitat: Rainforest

Diet: Primarily lemurs, some snakes, pigs, tenrecs, fish and guinea fowl

Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Endangered)