Fossa (redirected from infraclavicular fossa)

fossa [′fäs·ə]

(anatomy)

A pit or depression.

(vertebrate zoology)

Cryptoprocta ferox.A Madagascan carnivore related to the civets.

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Fossa 

(Cryptoprocta ferox), a predatory mammal of the family Viverridae. The body measures as much as 76 cm in length and as much as 37 cm in height; the tail measures approximately 65 cm in length. The fossa, the largest predator of the island of Madagascar, has a massive body with relatively long, thick extremities and semiretractile claws. It somewhat resembles a cat, but the head is longer. The fur is short, smooth, and reddish brown.

The fossa inhabits forests and feeds on birds and small mammals. It is terrestrial but may climb trees when chasing lemurs. It is active at night. The animal attacks domestic fowl and young domestic swine.

REFERENCE

Mammals of the World, vol. 2. Baltimore, Md., 1964.