At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The fossa is Madagascar's largest carnivore, a slender, cat-like predator related to the mongoose family. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It is the main predator of lemurs and is an agile climber.
Range & habitat
Forests across Madagascar.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Deforestation
- Persecution as a livestock predator
- Fragmentation
Why it matters
As the top predator of Madagascar's forests, the fossa shapes lemur populations and is a flagship for the island's threatened ecosystems.
Madagascar's largest carnivore.
Sources
Sources for Fossa
- IUCN Red List — look up Fossa (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fossa a cat?
No. Although it looks and hunts like a cat, the fossa belongs to a Madagascar-specific carnivore family related to mongooses — a striking case of an animal evolving cat-like traits independently.
Why is the fossa Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite deforestation, persecution by people protecting livestock, and habitat fragmentation. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: