Falanaka

/fɑːləˈnɑːkə/ noun

Definition

A small, cat-like carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar with a long body and short legs.

Etymology

From Malagasy language. The word entered scientific English through zoological study of Madagascar's unique fauna, which has been isolated from Africa for millions of years.

Kelly Says

The falanaka is one of Madagascar's many evolutionary oddities—it's a carnivore that evolved to fill ecological niches similar to those occupied by different animals elsewhere, showing how evolution adapts to isolated environments.

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