The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous
mammal that is
endemic to
Madagascar. It is a member of the
Eupleridae, a
family of
carnivorans closely related to the
mongoose family. Its
classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of
cats, yet other traits suggest a close relationship with
viverrids. The fossa is the largest mammalian
carnivore on the island of Madagascar and has been compared to a small
cougar. Adults have a head-body length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5–8.6 kg (12–19 lb), with the males larger than the females. It has semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree-to-tree. The fossa is unique within its family for the shape of its
genitalia, which share traits with those of cats and
hyenas. The species is widespread, although
population densities are usually low. It is found solely in forested habitat, and actively hunts both day and night. Over 50% of its diet consists of
lemurs, the endemic
primates found on the island, though
tenrecs,
rodents, lizards, birds, and other animals are also documented as prey. The fossa is listed as "
Vulnerable" by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The greatest threat to the species is
habitat destruction. (more...)
... that the French Government issued a postage stamp (pictured) bringing attention to the theft of
Cézanne's The Card Players in 1961?
... that a 17th-century
YemeniOrphans' Decree requiring the conversion of orphans to
Islam was still being enforced as late as 1948?
... that Wilhelmine Reichard, the first
German woman
balloonist, fell unconscious at 7,800 metres (25,600 ft) during her third flight in 1811 and crash-landed in a forest?
... that despite being told by doctors that he might never walk again, British swimmer Graham Edmunds has won two
Paralympic gold medals in world record times?
A
woodcut engraving by
English illustrator
Randolph Caldecott for the
nursery rhyme and
cumulative tale "This Is the House That Jack Built", which appeared in an 1887 book of children's stories. The poem does not actually tell the story of
Jack building a house, but instead shows how the house is indirectly linked to numerous things and people. It is believed to date back to the mid-sixteenth century, but the first printed edition was in 1755.
This Wikipedia is written in
English. Started in 2001 (2001), it currently contains
3,626,040 articles. Many other Wikipedias are available; some of the largest are listed below.
The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous
mammal that is
endemic to
Madagascar. It is a member of the
Eupleridae, a
family of
carnivorans closely related to the
mongoose family. Its
classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of
cats, yet other traits suggest a close relationship with
viverrids. The fossa is the largest mammalian
carnivore on the island of Madagascar and has been compared to a small
cougar. Adults have a head-body length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5–8.6 kg (12–19 lb), with the males larger than the females. It has semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree-to-tree. The fossa is unique within its family for the shape of its
genitalia, which share traits with those of cats and
hyenas. The species is widespread, although
population densities are usually low. It is found solely in forested habitat, and actively hunts both day and night. Over 50% of its diet consists of
lemurs, the endemic
primates found on the island, though
tenrecs,
rodents, lizards, birds, and other animals are also documented as prey. The fossa is listed as "
Vulnerable" by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The greatest threat to the species is
habitat destruction. (more...)
... that the French Government issued a postage stamp (pictured) bringing attention to the theft of
Cézanne's The Card Players in 1961?
... that a 17th-century
YemeniOrphans' Decree requiring the conversion of orphans to
Islam was still being enforced as late as 1948?
... that Wilhelmine Reichard, the first
German woman
balloonist, fell unconscious at 7,800 metres (25,600 ft) during her third flight in 1811 and crash-landed in a forest?
... that despite being told by doctors that he might never walk again, British swimmer Graham Edmunds has won two
Paralympic gold medals in world record times?
A
woodcut engraving by
English illustrator
Randolph Caldecott for the
nursery rhyme and
cumulative tale "This Is the House That Jack Built", which appeared in an 1887 book of children's stories. The poem does not actually tell the story of
Jack building a house, but instead shows how the house is indirectly linked to numerous things and people. It is believed to date back to the mid-sixteenth century, but the first printed edition was in 1755.
This Wikipedia is written in
English. Started in 2001 (2001), it currently contains
3,626,040 articles. Many other Wikipedias are available; some of the largest are listed below.