Cryptoprocta ferox

(Bennett, 1833)

Vernacular names
English : Fossa
French : Fossa

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Eupleridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Body length to 80 cm, tail length to 70 cm and weight up to 8.6 kg. Muscular yet slender body, long head, short round ears. Fur coloration dark gray-brown to chocolate brown. Brown eyes. Breast and belly whiter.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Madagascar and occurs mostly out of the central parts of the Island, except from isolated population. Lives in all kinds of forests but drier forests preferred, up to 2600 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is more and more endangered because of forest clearing and habitat destruction. Genetical diversity of wild populations is a problem.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

Back to “Cats, Civets, Mongooses & Relatives” page