The Malagasy civet, Fossa fossana, also called the striped civet, spotted fanaloka or fanaloka, is a small nocturnal carnivoran endemic to the tropical forests of Madagascar and the only species in its genus. It measures about 47 cm without the tail and weighs 1.5 to 2 kg, making it the second largest carnivore on the island after the fossa. Its short greyish-beige or brown coat carries dark stripes that break into spots near the belly. It eats small vertebrates, insects, aquatic animals and birds eggs, and in winter it may store fat in its tail. One young is born after a gestation of about three months. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable with a decreasing population.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 1 ThreatsInvasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes and Diseases 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
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Source Malagasy civet (Wikipedia)LeadQuote, Lead
is an euplerid endemic to Madagascar
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1. Malagasy civet (Wikipedia)
Lead
is an euplerid endemic to Madagascar
Conservation status
The Malagasy civet is listed as Vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a decreasing population.
Behavior
The Malagasy civet is nocturnal
Behavior, diet
It eats small vertebrates (mammals, small birds, reptiles, and amphibians), insects, aquatic animals, and eggs stolen from birds' nests.
Distribution and habitat
The Malagasy civet is found in lowland and rainforest areas of Eastern and Northern areas of Madagascar
Conservation status, threats
Though threatened by deforestation, hunting, charcoal production, logging, and competition from introduced species such as dogs, cats, and small Indian civets, it is locally common.
Conservation status, threats (2)
competition from introduced species such as dogs, cats, and small Indian civets
Conservation status, relationship to people
Though threatened by deforestation, hunting, charcoal production, logging
Lead, body size band
It can weigh 1.5 to 2.0 kilograms (3.3 to 4.4 lb).
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Fossa fossana
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status, CITES
CITES Appendix II
Lifespan/Longevity
Average lifespan Status: captivity 21.4 years
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