FOSSA CARNIVORA Family: Eupleridae Genus: Cryptoprocta Species: ferox

Range: endemic to Madagascar Habitat: prefers pristine undisturbed forests; it prefers humid over dry forests Niche: cathemeral, terrestrial & arboreal, carnivorous Wild diet: over 50% of diet is lemurs, also tenrecs, rodents, lizards and birds Zoo diet: Life Span: (Wild) 15 years (Captivity) 20+ yrs Sexual dimorphism: males larger than females Location in SF Zoo:

APPEARANCE & PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS:

The fossa is the largest carnivorous mammal of Madagascar; it is endemic to the island of Madagascar. They have slender bodies, muscular limbs, and short, reddish-brown coats. They have small, cat-like heads, short, dog-like muzzles, and large, rounded ears. They are agile climbers with semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles that allow them to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. The fossa has a plantigrade gait among the trees, which gives it extra balance and stability when leaping. The fossa's tail makes up about half of the animal's length and provides balance while hunting and maneuvering amongst the trees. Weight: M 14 – 19 lbs F 12 – 15 lbs The male fossa has external genitalia with an unusually long penis HRL: 23 – 30 in and baculum (penis bone) with a spiny shaft. Unique to fossa, the female TL: 22 – 28 in undergoes a strange developmental stage during adolescence (about 1-2 years) known as transient masculinization. She develops an enlarged, spiky clitoris that resembles the male’s penis, and secretes an orange substance on her underbelly, which is otherwise seen only in mature males. Adult females lack these features. Scientists hypothesize that this adaptation protects juvenile females from either sexual harassment by adult males or aggression from territorial females.

STATUS & CONSERVATION

The fossa is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List and on Appendix II of CITES. The species is widespread, although population densities are usually low. There are only about 2,500 in the wild. It is estimated that less than ten percent of Madagascar’s original, intact forest cover remains today. The Fossa is dependent on these forests and their lemurs as a food source.

Fossas have an unfavorable reputation with villagers, who see them as vermin, competitors for resources, and predators of farm animals. They tell bedtime stories of fossas snuffing out campfires and killing entire coops of chickens. Many Malagasy people fear fossas and consider them dangerous. The fossa is now present in many protected areas throughout Madagascar. COMMUNICATION AND OTHER BEHAVIOR

The fossa actively hunts day and night; it is cathemeral; it is considered solitary. It is an ambush hunter; it uses its forelimbs and claws to catch its prey, killing it quickly with a bite from its sharp teeth.

Fossas communicate largely through scent glands; they scent mark with secretions from glands on their chests and under the base of their tails. Their glands also release a pungent smell when the animal is irritated or frightened.

Fossas mainly vocalize during the breeding season. Females mew to attract males, and males sigh when they have found a receptive female and yowl when competing for her affections. This mating system, in which a female monopolizes a site and chooses her mates, seems to be unique among carnivores.

COURTSHIP AND YOUNG

Mating usually occurs in trees on horizontal limbs and can last for several hours. This lengthy mating is partly due to the backwards-pointing spines on the male’s penis, which results in a copulatory tie that is difficult to break. Once the first female has left, a new female will take over the mating site. The same trees are frequently used year after year. As many as eight males will be at a mating site, staying in close proximity to the receptive female.

Dens are made in an old termite mound, underground den, a rock crevice, or the hollow of a tree. Pups are altricial and the mother raises them without help. Fossa pups develop slowly and don't leave the den for about four to five months. They are independent after a year.

Estrous: Sexual Maturity: 3 -4 yrs Gestation: 90 days Weaning Age: 4.5 mos # of Mammae: Weight at birth: 3.5 oz # of Young: ave 2 - 4

MISCELLANEOUS

Endemic "Malagasy carnivorans" include fossa, falanouc (mongoose-like), Malagasy civet and Malagasy mongooses. The modern mongoose and the fossa evolved from the same ancestor, which arrived on Madagascar about 21 million years ago.

The fossa’s genus name, Cryptoprocta, is inspired by how its anus is concealed by an anal pouch; Cryptoprocta, means “hidden anus.” It comes from the Greek for hidden (crypto) and anus (procta). The fossa’s species name, ferox, refers to its exaggerated reputation for ferocity.

Sources: created: 5/17 Walker’s Mammals of the World 6tth edition Vol I © 1999, R. Nowak, Johns Hopkins University Press Mammals of Madagascar © 2007, Nick Garbutt, Yale University Press http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/f/fossa/ http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/fossa http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/5760/0 http://eol.org/pages/347438/overview