A Fossa, not a Fossil Trivia Quiz

Answer: A mammal resembling a cat

A fossa is a Malagasy predator, living off of many forms of prey, though mostly lemurs. Although somewhat cat-like in appearance, adults usually weigh less than twenty pounds (nine kg). Sexual maturity comes in three to four years and the animal's total lifespan in captivity is about twenty years.

Answer: Eupleridae

The Eupleridea also includes mongooses. Though the fossa looks somewhat cat-like, it does not belong to Felidae. The fossa is the largest carnivorous mammal in its territory.

Answer: Madagascar

Madagascar is a massive island off the south-eastern coast of Africa. The giant fossa, a near relative, became extinct several hundred years ago. Fossas can be found all around the coast of the island and for some distance inland.

Answer: Males are about 30-50% larger

Adult males usually weigh about 14-19 pounds (six to nine kg), while female fossas weigh about 12-15 pounds (5.5 to 7 kg) . They are robust animals with shortish legs.

Answer: Forest

The ability of fossa to climb trees comes in handy in the forest. Mating of fossas also tends to occur in the limbs of trees. The fossa uses a special grip to hold onto and climb trees.

Answer: False

They are endangered mainly due to habitat loss, primarily because Madagascar is heavily logged. Some are also killed because of their liking for domestic chickens. Fossa population has declined significantly in recent decades.

Answer: True

The giant fossa lived in prehistoric times, hunting giant lemurs. How ironic. They were possibly still around when the first people populated the island, perhaps explaining the native Malagasay people's aversion to the fossa, possibly from bad memories of a lion-sized beast killing someone.

Answer: True

The animal climbs trees to get its prey. Its tail helps to keep balance and its claws are semi-retractable. Its flexible ankles assist it in grasping tree trunks.

Answer: False

They have not been of much interest to most zoos, strangely, considering that they are fairly large and cute and not too hard to breed in captivity. The first fossas were bred in captivity in the 1970s.

Answer: Carnivorous

The fossa is a carnivore. The animal hunts a variety of prey including insects, birds, and small mammals. This includes lemurs, which are not that much smaller than the fossa.