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  • Singapore Zoo
  • Animals & Zones
  • Fossa

Fossa

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Wild Africa
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Quick facts

Lifespan

LifespanUp to 23 years under human care

Diet

DietLemurs, rodents, reptiles also amphibians and arthropods

Habitat

HabitatForests

Range

RangeMadagascar

The fossas

Fossa

Talking scents

The fossa’s scientific name means "ferocious animal with a hidden anus’. Its anus is concealed by a pouch that contains scent-marking glands. Using secretions from these, and glands located on its chest, it marks rocks, trees, and the ground in its territory.

Both males and females use scents to ‘talk’ to one another. The fossa also emits a strong stink through its scent glands when it is annoyed or scared.

Fossa

Private matters

Interestingly, adolescent females sport an enlarged and spiky-looking clitoris, which gradually disappears as they come of age. The fossa is the only known mammal to display this temporary masculinisation, which is thought to protect the adolescent females from sexual harassment from males, as well as territorial aggression of mature females.

During breeding season, females consort with multiple males. Copulation can last six hours or more at one go, accompanied by a blood-curdling mating call.

Fossa

Built to hunt

What makes the fossa Madagascar’s top predator?

Its adaptations include a good sense of smell and keen vision, even in low-light conditions. Long whiskers help it to sense its surroundings; a long tail provides balance while it moves in trees. Sharp, semi-retractable claws, coupled with flexible ankles enable it to climb down a tree head first!

Fossa

Tales of the fossa

The fossa is featured as a sly and dangerous creature in Malagasy folklore. It can turn invisible by contracting the pupils of its eyes. Just with a fart, the fossa can kill a coop of chickens. The fossa is believed to steal babies from their cribs and snatch children wandering alone in the forest. It licks a person into a deep sleep before cutting him open.

These myths once protected the fossa. It was feared in most parts of Madagascar. But now, more fossas are being hunted by humans.

Together, we protect wildlife

Saving Fossas

Saving Fossas

Wild fossas are losing their forest homes. Lemurs, their main prey, are disappearing due to deforestation. Fossas are killed as pests for preying on domestic chickens.

Our fossas are managed under the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which involves coordinated breeding efforts by participating zoos. Transfer of individuals between these zoos is based on genetic compatibility. We hope to eventually breed our fossas and contribute to the continued survival of the species.

The IUCN Status

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

Special Experiences

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Fossa Keeper Talk

Daily Fossa Exhibit 3:30pm

Learn more about our wildlife from the people who know best — the keepers. In this interactive session, hear interesting quirks of the fossas from our keepers.

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