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87:. 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
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are usually low. It is found solely in forested habitat, and actively hunts both day and night. Over 50% of its diet consists of
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has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of
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on the island of
Madagascar and has been compared to a small
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123:(IUCN). The greatest threat to the species is
121:International Union for Conservation of Nature
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91:, which share traits with those of cats and
18:Knowledge:Today's featured article
95:. The species is widespread, although
79:. The fossa is the largest mammalian
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107:found on the island, though
39:is a cat-like, carnivorous
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51:. It is a member of the
63:closely related to the
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67:family. Its
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61:carnivorans
117:Vulnerable
53:Eupleridae
49:Madagascar
119:" by the
89:genitalia
81:carnivore
77:viverrids
161:By email
105:primates
65:mongoose
43:that is
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138:Navenby
130:more...
113:rodents
109:tenrecs
45:endemic
101:lemurs
93:hyenas
85:cougar
57:family
41:mammal
175:About
36:fossa
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73:cats
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