Fossa

Fossas are remarkable animals.  They only live in one place in the world, the island of Madagascar.  They are the largest predators or hunting animals on Madagascar.  They look so much like wild cats that most people were fooled.  Fossas are related to mongooses and meerkats.

Physical Description

Fossas can be yellowish, brown or even black.  They have long strong flexible bodies and sharp teeth and claws like cats.  Fossas are nocturnal.  This means they come out at night.  They have large eyes to help them see well in the dark.  They can grow over 4 feet and weigh almost 50 pounds.

Family Life

A mother Fossa has 2 to 4 young.  She takes care of her babies for about 18 months.  The young go out into the forest to live on their own before they are 2 years old.

Diet

Lemurs, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects