The Prince of Madagascar

The Fossa!

Fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox) are predators who live in the forests of Madagascar. They are expert tree climbers who have extremely powerful back legs. These cat and dog-like animals are actually related to the mongoose . Its favorite prey is lemurs...yum. However, they are highly endangered; only 2,500 (!) are estimated to still be alive in the wild. This is because humans kill them because the fossas sometimes prey on cows and other livestock. But...in reality, by killing the fossa, the farmers are destroying their own crops; the fossas are the ones who prey upon much of the population of crop-eating animals.

I hope they don't die out.

Anyway, very, very happy with this painting . It was lots of fun to do, and it's probably my most complex background ever. Fossas have been my favorite animal/mammal (not including birds) since I first heard about them in a wonderful book called the Katurran Odyssey. Ah...what marvelous creatures they are! And I think I actually did an okay job with fur texture. I'm getting better at watercolors, IMHO.

Time spent: 3 days...about 7-9 hrs
Tools: Watercolors, microns, and white acrylic for touch-ups
A few references used.
Picture is © to me, "Kalico" Kat

Comments are appreciated and loved .