Giant fossa (SciiFii)

The giant fossa (Cryptoprocta spelea) is a species of carnivore native to the island of Madagascar, most closely related to the common fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), that was once extinct before 1658 as a result of human activities, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to its former range to help boost biodiversity. The giant fossa is around 1.07 to 1.32 times as large as the adult common fossa and it can weigh about 17 kilograms (37 lbs) to 20 kilograms (44 lbs), with the males larger than the females, making it similar in size to a leopard and is among the largest carnivores of the island. The giant fossa is darker in color than the common fossa, with its fur being dark brown, almost black in color with a lighter underbelly. It has semi-retractable claws (meaning it can extend but not retract its claws fully) and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. With its large size and massive jaws and teeth, the giant fossa is a formidable, "puma-like" predator, and in addition to smaller prey it preys on some of the large lemur species that are too large for the common fossas; although giant fossa can also prey on other prey such as tenrecs, smaller euplerids, and even young Malagasy hippopotamuses. Like the common fossa, the giant fossa is generally solitary by nature, but the species will pair for life during the mating season, and pairs of giant fossas are known to hunt together. Mating usually occurs in trees on horizontal limbs and can last for several hours. Litters range from one to six pups, which are born blind and toothless (altricial). Infants wean after 5 months and are independent after a year. Sexual maturity occurs about four years of age, and life expectancy in captivity is 25 years. The conservation status of the giant fossa is Endangered due to habitat loss and historical poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the giant fossa is a protected species.