Hands-On Sencha Touch 2

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Hands-On Sencha Touch 2 is a fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The fossa is a medium-sized (12 to 20 pound) carnivorous mammal that is unique to Madagascar. The classification of the fossa is controversial because it exhibits traits that are similar to the mongoose, the cat, and the civet all at once. However, due to Madagascar’s closed ecosystem, the fossa is closely related to all other carnivorous mammals on the island.

As the largest mammal on Madagascar, the fossa enjoys a varied diet, with lemurs being the staple. They hunt during both day and night, and have been known to eat lizards, birds, rodents, and tenrecs (small opposum-like mammals). Fossas are only found in forested areas, and are very comfortable in the treetops, where they catch most of their prey. Unfortunately, this propensity for trees means that the species is extremely affected by habitat destruction; it is currently listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Male and female fossas look almost exactly the same, with mongoose-like heads and cougar-like bodies. They generally have short, reddish-brown fur and semi-retractable claws that are used to grip trees. The long tail also aids in balance and helps the fossa anchor itself to branches. One peculiar physical feature of the fossa is its external genitalia—the male’s penis has a long, spiny bone (the baculum) that can be almost an inch long. Females also have spiny clitorises that are supported ...