Question 1

True or false: Fossas are the largest mammalian predators on the island of Madagascar.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Adult fossas can reach up to 6 feet long (including tail) and weigh up to 26 pounds, making them the top native land predator in Madagascar.

Question 2

True or false: Fossas primarily hunt lemurs, but they also eat reptiles and birds.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Lemurs make up over 50% of their diet, but fossas are opportunistic and also prey on tenrecs, rodents, snakes, and birds.

Question 3

True or false: A fossa's tail is nearly as long as its body, aiding balance in trees.

Accepted Answer

True. True. The fossa's tail can be up to 30 inches long, matching its body length. It uses it like a counterbalance when leaping between branches.

Question 4

True or false: Fossas are completely solitary and only meet to mate.

Accepted Answer

False. While fossas are generally solitary, mothers are often seen with their young, and they communicate through scent marking, so they don't only interact for mating.

Question 5

True or false: The fossa is actually a type of lemur, not a cat or mongoose.

Accepted Answer

False. The fossa is a carnivoran, specifically a euplerid, not a lemur. It's most closely related to mongooses, but it's often mistaken for a cat due to its appearance.

Question 6

True or false: Fossas are known to purr like domestic cats when content.

Accepted Answer

False. False. Fossas do not purr. They make a variety of calls including yaps, growls, and a distinctive 'meow' sound, but not a true cat-like purr.

Question 7

True or false: Fossas have semi-retractable claws, similar to cheetahs.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Like cheetahs, fossas have claws that are only partially retractable, which helps them grip tree bark and branches while hunting lemurs.

Question 8

True or false: Fossas are closely related to the African civet, not to the mongoose.

Accepted Answer

False. False. Genetic studies show fossas are in the family Eupleridae, which is most closely related to mongooses (Herpestidae), not civets (Viverridae).

Fossa Trivia Questions