Fisher (animal)

The fisher is a medium-sized carnivorous mammal in the weasel family, native to North America.

The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a medium-sized carnivorous mammal in the weasel family, native to North America. Despite being commonly called the fisher cat, it is not a feline and rarely eats fish. Fishers are forest-dwelling, agile climbers with a varied diet that includes small mammals, birds, carrion, fruit, and nuts.

Taxonomy and naming

The fisher is a mustelid mammal scientifically named Pekania pennanti. Its common name has led to confusion with cats and fish, but it is neither a cat nor a fish-eater in the usual sense. It is not a feline like the Tiger or Lynx, nor a canid like the Coyote.

Physical characteristics

Fishers are long-bodied, dark-furred animals with short legs, rounded ears, and bushy tails. Males are substantially larger than females, a pattern described as sexual dimorphism. Average length is about 24–40 in (including tail), and weight ranges from roughly 4–18 lb depending on sex and source. Fishers are medium-sized, much smaller than a Brown Bear.

Habitat and range

Fishers live in forested parts of North America, with strong associations to boreal and mixed forests. Their range includes Canada and the northern United States, with scattered populations farther south and west in some areas. Fishers are native to Canada and are associated especially with Canadian boreal and mixed forests.

Diet and behaviour

Fishers are opportunistic predators and scavengers. Their diet includes small mammals, birds, eggs, carrion, fruit, nuts, and occasionally porcupines; fish are not a regular food source. They are agile climbers and can descend trees head-first.

Conservation and human interactions

Fishers are elusive and usually avoid people, but they have been locally affected by habitat change and historical trapping pressure. In some regions, populations have recovered or expanded after declines.