Although it resembles a feline in appearance, the fossa is related to the mongoose and civet. It is endemic to Madagascar and is the only non-human predator of the lemur. Unlike a mongoose, the fossa has retractable claws and a long, slender tail, much like a feline. The fossa is a solitary animal and spends its time both in the trees and on the ground. It is active both during the day and at night. The fossa is a carnivore and an opportunistic hunter; it will eat pretty much anything it can catch, from lemurs and to birds and rodents. Fossas have a gestation period of three months and, on average, give birth to two to four young at a time. Presently, fossas are endangered creatures due to habitat loss. Less than ten percent of Madagascar’s original, intact forest cover, the fossa’s only home, remains today.
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