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Quiz about A Fossa not a Fossil
Quiz about A Fossa not a Fossil

A Fossa, not a Fossil Trivia Quiz


This is a quiz about this rare and little known predator. See how much you know.
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author fossa

A multiple-choice quiz by bernie73. Estimated time: 2 mins.
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Author
bernie73
Time
2 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
23,404
Updated
Nov 15 24
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
160
Last 3 plays: stevroll (10/10), Guest 92 (7/10), misstified (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. What is a fossa? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What family does the fossa belong to? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Where does a fossa live in the wild? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Which best describes the relationship between male and female fossa? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In what sort of environment does a fossa normally live? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Fossa are plentiful and are not endangered or vulnerable


Question 7 of 10
7. Previous to modern times, there was a giant fossa that could reach 10 feet (3 meters) long.


Question 8 of 10
8. Fossas can climb trees.


Question 9 of 10
9. Fossas are common in captivity, numbering over 1,000 in the first quarter of the twenty-first century.


Question 10 of 10
10. What of these describes the fossa's diet? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What is a fossa?

Answer: A mammal resembling a cat

A fossa is a Malagasy predator, living off of many forms of prey, though mostly lemurs. Although somewhat cat-like in appearance, adults usually weigh less than twenty pounds (nine kg). Sexual maturity comes in three to four years and the animal's total lifespan in captivity is about twenty years.
2. What family does the fossa belong to?

Answer: Eupleridae

The Eupleridea also includes mongooses. Though the fossa looks somewhat cat-like, it does not belong to Felidae. The fossa is the largest carnivorous mammal in its territory.
3. Where does a fossa live in the wild?

Answer: Madagascar

Madagascar is a massive island off the south-eastern coast of Africa. The giant fossa, a near relative, became extinct several hundred years ago. Fossas can be found all around the coast of the island and for some distance inland.
4. Which best describes the relationship between male and female fossa?

Answer: Males are about 30-50% larger

Adult males usually weigh about 14-19 pounds (six to nine kg), while female fossas weigh about 12-15 pounds (5.5 to 7 kg) . They are robust animals with shortish legs.
5. In what sort of environment does a fossa normally live?

Answer: Forest

The ability of fossa to climb trees comes in handy in the forest. Mating of fossas also tends to occur in the limbs of trees. The fossa uses a special grip to hold onto and climb trees.
6. Fossa are plentiful and are not endangered or vulnerable

Answer: False

They are endangered mainly due to habitat loss, primarily because Madagascar is heavily logged. Some are also killed because of their liking for domestic chickens. Fossa population has declined significantly in recent decades.
7. Previous to modern times, there was a giant fossa that could reach 10 feet (3 meters) long.

Answer: True

The giant fossa lived in prehistoric times, hunting giant lemurs. How ironic. They were possibly still around when the first people populated the island, perhaps explaining the native Malagasay people's aversion to the fossa, possibly from bad memories of a lion-sized beast killing someone.
8. Fossas can climb trees.

Answer: True

The animal climbs trees to get its prey. Its tail helps to keep balance and its claws are semi-retractable. Its flexible ankles assist it in grasping tree trunks.
9. Fossas are common in captivity, numbering over 1,000 in the first quarter of the twenty-first century.

Answer: False

They have not been of much interest to most zoos, strangely, considering that they are fairly large and cute and not too hard to breed in captivity. The first fossas were bred in captivity in the 1970s.
10. What of these describes the fossa's diet?

Answer: Carnivorous

The fossa is a carnivore. The animal hunts a variety of prey including insects, birds, and small mammals. This includes lemurs, which are not that much smaller than the fossa.
Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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