Fossa (animal): description, photo, lifestyle in the wild

Fossa is a large predatory animal, whichbelongs to the family of Madagascar wyvers. On the island of Madagascar, this beast is the largest and dangerous predator. Aborigines are assured that fosses are capable to kill the person, besides it, animals ruin part-time farms.

Local residents exterminate predators and eveneat their meat. So, despite the fact that Foss has no natural enemies because of its large size, its strength is heavily influenced by cruel human interference.

Fossa (animal): description

Appearance of the fossa is rather unusual, it is a rare animal. If we compare it with other predators, it resembles a small puma, in which the features of a viverra are seen.

This strong beast at home is calledthe Madagascar lion, for the most part because his ancestors were much larger than his contemporaries. The animal Fossa, which currently lives on the entire known island, reaches a length of 65-75 cm, not counting the tail (55-65 cm) The body is muscular, massive. Long limbs are also strong and massive, with the front legs noticeably shorter than the rear legs.

A distinctive feature of the Madagascar predator isSpecial glands that are in the anus. They singled out an unusual substance, which can not be confused with anything else. The substance exudes such a disgusting "fragrance" that with its help the beast is able to defeat the victim on the spot. So, at least, say the locals.

Fossa wool (animal) has a short, but very thick. The hair color of the head is reddish, the body is covered with a dark red with a brown tinge of hair.

Fossa is a large predatory animal of Madagascar

Probably, there is no person who does not knowthe popular cartoon "Madagascar". In this fascinating story, the lemurs living on the island were horrified to the point of losing consciousness only with a single mention of a terrible beast called Fossa. This is not a fictional being, as you now know, Fossa is an animal that really lives on the island of Madagascar.

Predator, which is quite large, of courseIt can scare not only defenseless lemurs, but also people. In a natural environment, you can see such a formidable beast only in the territory of Madagascar. This beautiful corner of the earth surprises us with both the flora and its fauna.

Lifestyle

Fossa is a terrestrial animal, but when you watchhis skillful and confident movement through the branches and trunks of trees, you are convinced that the height is also submissive to the Madagascar predator. It's great to climb the trees with the beast's help with its strong paws with sharp claws and large pads. He balances at the height with a flexible body and a long tail.

Fossa leads a solitary life, but in marriageperiod animal has to look for a companion, however, for a very short time, and with it appear rivals. In the daytime during the heat Fossa prefers to lie in its lair, and at dusk and at night time comes for hunting.

The voice of a predator, especially when an animal is institutedand alarmed, resembles the growl of an angry big cat. Zoologists, observing these amazing creatures in the wild, claim that on average Fossa can live 16-20 years.

Ration

If you consider the menu fossa "dish", whichis in the first place, then this is all the well-known timid Madagascar lemurs. If the predator manages to catch a loot for him prey, he clamps the lemur tightly with his front paws and at the same time tusks tear the victim's neck. There are no chances to break out from the poor thing. So it's not for nothing that animals are so afraid of meeting a natural enemy.

In addition to lemurs, the fossa diet includes reptiles, small mammals, birds and even insects. Although the hunter from the Madagascar lion is skilled, and it is extremely rare to interrupt insects.

Reproduction

The marriage period at Fossa begins in the beginning of autumn.The female is taken care of at once by 3 or 4 males. On such days it is better not to disturb animals and, of course, not to anger. Predators during mating games almost do not control their behavior, and their aggressiveness goes off scale.

Cultivation of offspring

Pregnancy lasts about 3 months.Cubs are born in winter (December, January). In one brood there are from 2 to 4 kids. The newborn babies weigh about 100 grams, they are blind and completely helpless. Instead of "fur coat", as in adult predators, young calves are covered with a thin and small fluff.

In two weeks, the offspring of the fossa opens their eyesand begins to see the world around him. At the age of 1-1.5 months, babies make unskilled attempts to get out of the lair, and after two months of age quietly climb the trees. For four months the cubs feed on mother's milk, but gradually the predator feeds them with meat food.

Fully adults become foci at the age of 4, but they have to leave their native burrow in a year and a half. Young predators independently continue to study the wisdom of living in the wild.

Fossa is an endangered species

There was a period very dangerous for these animals, when according to the estimates of the researchers there were only about 2500 individuals.

At this time on the pages of the Red Book, Madagascar predators were labeled as endangered. Only in 2008 the animals were returned to the status of "vulnerable species".