Though threatened by deforestation, hunting and competition from introduced species, the Malagasy civet is locally common.

Within the subfamily, the Falanouc and Malagasy civet are more closely related to each other than to the Fossa.

The fossa and the Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana) are believed to be the most ancient surviving species within this group.

The mating season of the Malagasy civet is August to September and the gestation period is three months, ending with the birth of one young.

Guided walks range from two to four hours, try a nocturnal walk for the chance to spot the fanaloka, or Malagasy civet, and the dainty brown mouse lemur.

Some have retractile or semi-retractile claws (the fossa and the Malagasy civet) and others do not (the Falanouc and Malagasy mongooses).

Genetic evidence from several nuclear and mitochondrial genes argues against placing Malagasy galidiines in the mongoose family; instead, these species are more closely related to other Madagascar carnivorans, including the fossa and Malagasy civet.

Within the family Eupleridae, some relations remain unclear, with evidence from several genes and methods of inference providing conflicting evidence as to the relations among Galidiinae, the fossa, and the Malagasy Civet (Fossa fossana).

Previously, the Malagasy civet was placed in the subfamily Hemigalinae with the banded palm civets and then in its own subfamily, Fossinae, but it is now classified as a member of the subfamily Euplerinae.

The fossa and the Malagasy civet (Fossa fossana) are believed to be the most ancient surviving species within this group.

Other Malagasy carnivores include the fanaloka (Fossa fossana), which, despite its scientific name, should not be confused with the fossa.

Mammals found in this forest include the apex predator Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the Fanaloka (Fossa fossana), Northern Ring-tailed Mongoose and numerous bat species.

Within the family Eupleridae, some relations remain unclear, with evidence from several genes and methods of inference providing conflicting evidence as to the relations among Galidiinae, the fossa, and the Malagasy Civet (Fossa fossana).