Fossa

/fˈɒsɐ/

/fˈɑːsə/

[noun]

Fossa

[NOUN]

a unique carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar, known for its slender body, sharp teeth, and long tail

synonyms : Cryptoprocta ferox

fossa cat

What is a "fossa"?

The fossa is a remarkable mammal found exclusively in the forests of Madagascar. It has a slender and elongated body, with a head resembling that of a cat and a body resembling that of a mongoose. The fossa has a distinctive appearance, with short, dense fur that can range in color from reddish-brown to gray or black. Its large eyes and sharp teeth are adapted for hunting, and it has powerful limbs with sharp claws for climbing trees and catching prey. The fossa is an agile and skilled predator, known for its ability to hunt and capture lemurs, small mammals, and birds in the trees. It also has a long tail that helps it maintain balance while navigating the forest canopy. Overall, the fossa is a unique and fascinating species with specialized adaptations for its forest habitat in Madagascar.

monotypic genus of Madagascar civets closely related to palm civets

synonyms : genus Fossa

a concavity in a surface (especially an anatomical depression)

synonyms : pit

Examples

1. [Intro] 10: The Fossa, which you may have heard of if you've seen Madagascar, but it is REAL!

2. They're separated at the clavicle by this little gap, called the infraclavicular fossa.

3. The TMJ is essentially the articulation between the condyle of the mandible and the mandibular fossa - a socket in the temporal bone.

4. For instance, most features on Venus are mostly given feminine names, for example fossae are named after goddesses of war, paterae are named after famous women, and planitiae are named after mythological heroines.

Nearby words