Fossa fossana

(Müller, 1776)

Vernacular names
English : Spotted Fanaloka
French : Civette fossane, Fanaloka

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

Identification
Body length of 45 cm, tail length of 26.4 cm, weight of 1.9 kg. Civet-like body with fat bushy tail and pointed snout. Coloration is grey brown to dark beige with rows of dark spots on back and flanks. White belly.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to the Island of Madagascar and occurs in the eastern parts of the Islands. Also found in Sambirano region in North-West. Lives in mostly found in forests, both dry and humid, up to 1300 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : This species has been declining alarmingly in recent times because of illegal hunting and habitat destruction, encouraged by political unrest.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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