Bible Encyclopedias
Foussa

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Fourmies

Next Entry
Fowey

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
Webster Dictionary
• Foussa
Encyclopedias
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Foussa

or Fossa, the native name of Cry ptoprocta ferox, a somewhat cat-like or civet-like mammal peculiar to Madagascar, where it is the largest carnivorous animal. It is about twice the size of a cat (5 ft. from nose to end of tail), with short close fur of nearly uniform pale brown. Little is known of its habits, except that it is nocturnal, frequently attacks and carries off goats, and especially kids, and shows great ferocity when wounded, on which account it is much dreaded by the natives. An example lived in the London zoological gardens for nearly fourteen years. See Carnivora.