Study objects
Fossa
| Scientific name | Cryptoprocta ferox |
| Body size | 75 cm |
| Body mass | 6-11 kg |
| Distribution | forest of sufficient size all over Madagaskar |
| Status | vulnerable |
| Lifestyle | cathemeral, carnivorous, solitary, some males social |
| Mating system | promiscuous |
| Specials | performs conspicuous mating behaviour on traditional mating trees; plays a key role in Madagascar’s forest ecosystems as the top predator; associated males hunt cooperatively; is more closely related to hyenas than to cats (family: Madagascar mongooses)! |