#cryptoprocta

[mammalianmammals]

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) pups, family Eupleridae, endemic to most of Madagascar (but not found in the central part of the island).

photograph by Jaycee Karl

[tiifu-ndovu]

[snototter]

A fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) crosses the street in Kirindy Reserve, Madagascar

by Dominique Schreckling

[weasel-war-dance]

Fossa | Daniel Austin

[mammalianmammals]

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), juveniles, family Eupleridae, endemic to most of Madagascar (but not found in the central part of the island).

photographs via: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

[mammalianmammals]

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), family Eupleridae, endemic to most of Madagascar (but not found in the central part of the island).

photographs via: Chester Zoo

[mammalianmammals]

Ooh, could we have some fun facts about the Fossa?

YOU HAVE SELECTED ONE OF MY FAVORITE ANIMALS!!!

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), family Eupleridae, endemic to most of Madagascar (but not found in the central part of the island).

Carnivorous, feeding on wide variety of other animals.

Not closely related to any animals on the African mainland (or anywhere else), Fossas are in the Madagascan Mongoose family (also called the Madagascan Carnivorans).

The closest living group to this family are the mongooses.

They have semi-retractable claws, they can extend them but not fully retract them.

The generic name Cryptoprocta, means "hidden anus", as the anus is hidden within the anal pouch.

The male's penis is external, unlike other members of this family. (They also have a baculum, a penis bone).

Active mostly late at night, early in the morning, or in late afternoon (sleeping during the hottest parts of the day).

The are FUCKING LOUD, especially when interacting with each other in social disputes or during mating.

photographs by Sachin Rai

[tiifu-ndovu]