This is a fossa. It’s a carnivorous animal endemic to Madagascar. Although it has feline features, it is  actually closely related to the mongoose family. It’s the largest mammalian carnivore on Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar. A large male can weigh up to 19 or 20 pounds. The fossa has semi-retractable claws which allow then to climb trees to hunt. They’re also able to climb up and down trees head first.

They are actually very short-haired. The bus driver on my way home made that impossible. So this one ended up a bit shaggier than most.