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What the sources say

FossaCryptoprocta ferox

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Fossa profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 60 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Fossa. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysMadagascar's largest carnivore
The source saysfossas are that island's largest carnivoresNote: tagline
The page saysa cat-like relative of the mongoose
The source saysthe fossa is closely related to the mongoose and civetNote: tagline
The page sayscan climb down a tree headfirst
The source saysRetractable claws like those of a cat and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst!Note: tagline
The page saysIt is native nowhere else.
The source saysNative only to the island nation of MadagascarNote: stats.habitat
The page saysMainly lemurs, plus fish, birds, small mammals, reptiles and even wild pigs
The source saysIt preys on small- to medium-sized animals from fish to birds, mice, and wild pigs. But lemurs are its main food sourceNote: stats.diet; 'small mammals' and 'reptiles' are the ADW claim below
The page saysA tail about half its total length that helps it balance and jump from branch to branch
The source saysThe fossa's tail makes up about half of the animal's length! ... That extra-long tail helps the fossa balance and jump from branch to branch.Note: stats.superpower
The page saysplus retractable claws and flexible ankle joints that help it climb down a tree headfirst
The source saysRetractable claws like those of a cat and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst!Note: stats.superpower
The page sayshas puzzled scientists since the 1830s
The source saysThey have puzzled scientists since the 1830s.
The page saysAt first glance it looks like some kind of cat, monkey or weasel.
The source saysAt first glance, a fossa looks like some kind of cat, monkey, or weasel.
The page saysIt belongs to Eupleridae
The source saysORDER: Carnivora FAMILY: Eupleridae GENUS: CryptoproctaNote: current zoo species page
The page saysit is closely related to the mongoose and civet, even though it shares some adaptive similarities with cats
The source saysAlthough it shares some adaptive similarities with cats, the fossa is closely related to the mongoose and civet.
The page saysIt is Madagascar's largest carnivore and native only to that island
The source saysNative only to the island nation of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa, fossas are that island's largest carnivores.
The page saysMales weigh 6.2 to 8.6 kilograms (13 to 19 pounds) and females 5.5 to 6.8 kilograms (12 to 15 pounds)
The source saysWeight: Females, 12 to 15 pounds (5.5 to 6.8 kilograms); males, 13 to 19 pounds (6.2 to 8.6 kilograms)
The page saysa body 70 to 80 centimeters (27 to 31 inches) long, not including the tail
The source saysLength: 27 to 31 inches (70 to 80 centimeters), not including tail
The page saysThe fossa's tail makes up about half of its total length
The source saysThe fossa's tail makes up about half of the animal's length!
The page saysit runs 65 to 70 centimeters (26 to 28 inches) on its own
The source saysTail length: 26 to 28 inches (65 to 70 centimeters)
The page saysIts life span in the wild is unknown, but fossas have lived up to 20 years in zoos.
The source saysLIFE SPAN Unknown in the wild; up to 20 years in zoos
The page saysThe fossa moves with ease high up in the trees.
The source saysThe fossa is an intelligent, agile animal that moves with ease high up in the trees of its forest home
The page saysIts tail helps it balance and jump from branch to branch
The source saysThat extra-long tail helps the fossa balance and jump from branch to branch.
The page saysretractable claws and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst
The source saysRetractable claws like those of a cat and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst!
The page saysOn the ground it is just as comfortable running flat-footed, like a bear
The source saysthe fossa is just as comfortable running flatfooted like a bear along the ground
The page saysit can travel up to 26 kilometers (16 miles) in a day
The source saysA fossa can travel up to 16 miles (26 kilometers) in a day.
The page saysLemurs are its main food source, and the fossa is Madagascar's only predator able to kill the largest lemur species
The source sayslemurs are its main food source, and the fossa is Madagascar's only predator able to kill the largest lemur species
The page saysIt also eats fish, birds, small mammals, reptiles and even wild pigs.
The source saysIt preys on small- to medium-sized animals from fish to birds, mice, and wild pigs.Note: 'small mammals' and 'reptiles' rest on the ADW claim above
The page saysIt is an ambush hunter, catching prey with its forelimbs and claws and killing it quickly with a bite from its sharp teeth.
The source saysThe fossa is an ambush hunter: it uses its forelimbs and claws to catch its prey, killing it quickly with a bite from its sharp teeth.
The page saysSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance puts the wild population at only about 2,500
The source saysfossas are classified as a vulnerable species, with only about 2,500 in the wilderness
The page saysNo, even though it looks like some kind of cat. The fossa shares some adaptive similarities with cats, but it is closely related to the mongoose and civet, and it belongs to the family Eupleridae. It is also Madagascar's largest carnivore.
The source saysFAMILY: Eupleridae ... At first glance, a fossa looks like some kind of cat, monkey, or weasel. ... Although it shares some adaptive similarities with cats, the fossa is closely related to the mongoose and civet. ... fossas are that island's largest carnivoresNote: FAQ 1
The page saysIts tail makes up about half its total length and helps it balance and jump from branch to branch.
The source saysThe fossa's tail makes up about half of the animal's length! ... That extra-long tail helps the fossa balance and jump from branch to branch.Note: FAQ 2
The page saysRetractable claws like a cat's and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst.
The source saysRetractable claws like those of a cat and flexible ankle joints help it climb down a tree headfirst!Note: FAQ 2
The page saysdangerLevel: Medium
The source sayskilling it quickly with a bite from its sharp teethNote: #384: a capability to injure; SDZ also says tales of danger 'have unfairly given the fossa a bad reputation', and ADW calls attacks on livestock rare and of questionable veracity, so not High
The page saysa predator that can jump, scurry and dash fast enough to outmaneuver the swiftest lemur
The source saysthe fossa can outmaneuver the swiftest lemur. It can jump, scurry, and dashNote: vibe.reason, #384

Source
02

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Cryptoprocta ferox (fossa). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysa cat-like relative of the mongoose
The source saysFossas are cat-like in appearanceNote: tagline
The page saysAll forested areas of Madagascar, from the coastal lowlands to mountains up to 2,000 meters.
The source saysFossas inhabit all forested areas on the island of Madagascar. They range from the coastal lowlands to mountainous areas up to 2000 meters in elevation.Note: stats.habitat
The page sayssmall mammals, reptiles
The source saysTheir diet consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.Note: stats.diet and body; ADW is dated 2000 but does not conflict with the current SDZ list
The page saysa family known as the Malagasy carnivores
The source saysFamily Eupleridae Malagasy carnivores
The page sayswhere it lives in forests from the coastal lowlands to mountains up to 2,000 meters
The source saysFossas inhabit all forested areas on the island of Madagascar. They range from the coastal lowlands to mountainous areas up to 2000 meters in elevation.
The page saysa figure already in use in 2000
The source saysby the IUCN in 2000 based on estimates that only 2500 individuals survive

Source
03

Hawkins 2016

Hawkins (2016). Cryptoprocta ferox. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T5760A45197189.

The page saysThe IUCN lists the fossa as Vulnerable.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Vulnerable (VU). Cryptoprocta ferox Bennett, 1833, IUCN taxon 5760.

Source
04

Hawkins & Racey 2005

Hawkins & Racey (2005). Low population density of a tropical forest carnivore, Cryptoprocta ferox: implications for protected area management. Oryx.

The page saysIn Kirindy Forest, where fossas are thought to be unusually common
The source saysThe fossa is thought to be unusually common in the study area ... known as the Kirindy Forest
The page saysa three-year mark-recapture study from 1994 to 1996 estimated just 0.18 adults, or 0.26 individuals, per square kilometer
The source saysA 3-year mark-recapture study, comprising four censuses, generated an estimate of fossa population density at 0.18 adults km −2 , or 0.26 individuals km −2 . ... Trapping took place between 1994 and 1996
The page saysIn 2005 the researchers suggested that none of Madagascar's 46 protected areas at the time supported a viable population of fossas.
The source saysour findings are sufficient to suggest that none of Madagascar's 46 protected areas supports a viable population of fossasNote: 2005 is the paper's year
The page saysBecause they are thinly spread and their forests are disappearing fast.
The source saysThe fossa Cryptoprocta ferox (Viverridae) is a mammalian carnivore threatened by the rapid loss of Madagascar's forests ... the estimated density was lower than that predicted for a typical tropical carnivorous mammal of the body mass of a fossaNote: FAQ 4; 'thinly spread' is the study's low density estimate, given with its figures in the next sentence
The page saysA three-year study in Kirindy Forest, where fossas are thought to be unusually common, estimated just 0.18 adults, or 0.26 individuals, per square kilometer.
The source saysA 3-year mark-recapture study, comprising four censuses, generated an estimate of fossa population density at 0.18 adults km −2 , or 0.26 individuals km −2 . ... The fossa is thought to be unusually common in the study area ... known as the Kirindy ForestNote: FAQ 4
The page saysIn 2005 the researchers suggested that none of Madagascar's 46 protected areas at the time supported a viable population of fossas.
The source saysour findings are sufficient to suggest that none of Madagascar's 46 protected areas supports a viable population of fossasNote: FAQ 4

Source
05

Lührs & Dammhahn 2009

Lührs & Dammhahn (2009). An unusual case of cooperative hunting in a solitary carnivore. Journal of Ethology.

The page saysThree Hunters, One Kill
The source saysWe observed a 45 min hunt of a 3 kg arboreal primate by three male fossas. The hunters changed roles during the hunt and subsequently shared the prey.Note: blockquote lead-in
The page saysResearchers once watched three male fossas hunt a 3-kilogram arboreal primate together for 45 minutes.
The source saysWe observed a 45 min hunt of a 3 kg arboreal primate by three male fossas.Note: one observation, scoped with 'once'
The page saysThe hunters changed roles during the hunt and then shared the prey.
The source saysThe hunters changed roles during the hunt and subsequently shared the prey.
The page saysIt was the first detailed observation of cooperative hunting in a solitary species.
The source saysWe report the first detailed observation of cooperative hunting for a solitary species, the Malagasy fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox).
The page saysFossas are solitary, but researchers have seen it at least once.
The source saysWe report the first detailed observation of cooperative hunting for a solitary species, the Malagasy fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox).Note: FAQ 3
The page saysThey watched three male fossas hunt a 3-kilogram arboreal primate together for 45 minutes, changing roles during the hunt and then sharing the prey.
The source saysWe observed a 45 min hunt of a 3 kg arboreal primate by three male fossas. The hunters changed roles during the hunt and subsequently shared the prey.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysIt was the first detailed observation of cooperative hunting in a solitary species.
The source saysWe report the first detailed observation of cooperative hunting for a solitary speciesNote: FAQ 3

Source
06

Hawkins et al. 2002

Hawkins et al. (2002). Transient Masculinization in the Fossa, Cryptoprocta ferox (Carnivora, Viverridae). Biology of Reproduction.

The page saysIn 2002, scientists reported the first discovery of transient, or temporary, masculinization in a female mammal, in the fossa.
The source sayswe made the first discovery of transient masculinization of a female mammalNote: abstract only; 2002 is the paper's year; 'or temporary' defines 'transient'
The page saysYoung females in the study had an enlarged, spiny clitoris supported by a small bone, plus a pigmented secretion on their belly fur that, in adults, was found only on males.
The source saysJuvenile female fossas exhibited an enlarged, spinescent clitoris supported by an os clitoridis and a pigmented secretion on the underpart fur that in adults was confined to males.
The page saysThese features appeared to fade with age, and most of the adult females studied lacked them.
The source saysThese features appeared to diminish with age. The majority of adult females lacked them
The page saysLevels of three male hormones showed no significant difference between the masculinized young females and the unmasculinized adults
The source saysNo significant differences in testosterone, androstenedione, or dihydrotestosterone levels were found between juvenile (masculinized) and adult (nonmasculinized) females.Note: the three are androgens: 'No evidence was found to link this masculinization to elevated female androgen levels'
The page saysnone of the explanations proposed up to then for female masculinization in mammals fit the findings
The source saysNone of the hypotheses so far proposed to explain the evolutionary basis of female masculinization in mammals are applicable to our findings.

Source
07

Farris et al. 2015

Farris et al. (2015). Hunting, Exotic Carnivores, and Habitat Loss: Anthropogenic Effects on a Native Carnivore Community, Madagascar. PLOS ONE.

The page saysFossas are also hunted for bushmeat.
The source saysthe fosa ( Cryptoprocta ferox ) ( x ¯ = 31 consumed/year)
The page saysVillage surveys from 2005 to 2011
The source saysA subset of households across four villages (S01, S02, S03, and S06) were surveyed an average of three times between 2005 and 2011.
The page saysaround Makira and Masoala, Madagascar's two largest protected areas
The source saysMakira Natural Park (hereafter Makira) is Madagascar's largest protected area ... Madagascar's second largest protected area, Masoala National ParkNote: as of the 2015 paper
The page saysfound an average of 31 fossas eaten a year at the four sites studied
The source saysHunting was intense across the four study sites where hunting was studied, with the highest rates for the small Indian civet ( x ¯ = 90 individuals consumed/year), the ring-tailed vontsira ( Galidia elegans ) ( x ¯ = 58 consumed/year), and the fosa ( Cryptoprocta ferox ) ( x ¯ = 31 consumed/year).

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.