fossas
Cat-like mongoose relatives
Fossas is the plural of fossa, a large carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar, resembling a cross between a cat and a mongoose.
The fossa is the island's top predator, hunting lemurs in the forest canopy.
Separately, fossa (plural fossae) is an anatomical term for a shallow depression or cavity in bone or tissue: the cranial fossa.
Uppermost point or culmination
- huntPursuit of quarry
- stalkPlant's vertical support
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- preyAnimal being hunted
pounce · claws · teeth · stealth · nocturnal · territorial · solitary · aggressive
Existing alone, apart
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
- mating seasonReproductive cycle timing
elusive · secretive · den · resting · grooming · vocalizations · hissing · breeding
Madagascan arboreal primates
- endemicNative to one area
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- baobabBulbous African tree species
- biodiversityRange of life forms
deforestation · Malagasy · ecosystem · dry forest · conservation · wildlife · habitat loss · national park
Ascending by physical effort
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- branchesLimbs of trees
- acrobaticInvolving spectacular physical feats
- agileLimber and quick-moving
treetop · vertical · tree-dwelling · forest · leaping · balance · limbs · perch
Resembling a feline
- elongated bodyForm longer than wide
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
- long tailExtended rear extremity
whiskers · paws · fur · quadruped · plantigrade · barrel-chested · short coat · reddish-brown
apex
Uppermost point or culmination
prey · pounce · claws · teeth · stealth · nocturnal · territorial · solitary · aggressive · carnivorous
solitary
Existing alone, apart
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
mating season · elusive · secretive · den · resting · grooming · vocalizations · hissing · breeding · courtship
lemurs
Madagascan arboreal primates
- endemicNative to one area
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- baobabBulbous African tree species
biodiversity · deforestation · Malagasy · ecosystem · dry forest · conservation · wildlife · habitat loss · national park
climbing
Ascending by physical effort
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- branchesLimbs of trees
- acrobaticInvolving spectacular physical feats
agile · treetop · vertical · tree-dwelling · forest · leaping · balance · limbs · perch · woodland
cat-like
Resembling a feline
- elongated bodyForm longer than wide
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
long tail · whiskers · paws · fur · quadruped · plantigrade · barrel-chested · short coat · reddish-brown
fossaslions
Large African wild felines
tigers · domestic cats · leopards · jaguars · panthers
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
- fossil discoveryLocating preserved ancient organisms
- fossil huntersThose seeking petrified remains
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
- fossil huntingSeeking preserved ancient organisms
- living fossilOrganism unchanged since prehistory
fossil, fossilized, fossilize, fossa, fossilizing, fosse, fossae, subfossil