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The '''fisher''' is a [[North America]]n [[marten]], a medium sized [[mustelid]]. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the [[French language|French]] word ''fichet'', which referred to the pelt of a [[European polecat]]. In some regions the fisher is known as a '''pekan''' which is derived from its name in the [[Abenaki language]]. |
The '''fisher''' is a [[North America]]n [[marten]], a medium sized [[mustelid]]. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the [[French language|French]] word ''fichet'', which referred to the pelt of a [[European polecat]]. In some regions the fisher is known as a '''pekan''' which is derived from its name in the [[Abenaki language]]. |
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The fisher is found from the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] in [[California]] to the [[Appalachians]] in [[West Virginia]] and north to [[New England]] (where it is often called a '''fisher cat'''), as well as in southern [[Alaska]] and across most of [[Canada]]. Fishers are present in low density in the Rocky Mountains, where most populations are the result of reintroductions. There is recent evidence, however, that a Montana population persisted in a refugium despite extensive fur trapping in the area during the 1800s and 1900s. Fishers are most often found in [[coniferous]] or mixed forests with high, continuous canopy cover. On 27 January, 2008, fishers were reintroduced in the Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers, native to Washington, have not been known to exist anywhere in the state for generations, because of overtrapping in the 1800s and early 1900s and the loss of old-growth forests. Fishers have recently been reintroduced in Montana, Oregon, and in total, about about 35 other fisher transfers have been done across the country |
The fisher is found from the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] in [[California]] to the [[Appalachians]] in [[West Virginia]] and north to [[New England]] (where it is often called a '''fisher cat'''), as well as in southern [[Alaska]] and across most of [[Canada]]. Fishers are present in low density in the Rocky Mountains, where most populations are the result of reintroductions. There is recent evidence, however, that a Montana population persisted in a refugium despite extensive fur trapping in the area during the 1800s and 1900s. Fishers are most often found in [[coniferous]] or mixed forests with high, continuous canopy cover. On 27 January, 2008, fishers were reintroduced in the Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers, native to Washington, have not been known to exist anywhere in the state for generations, because of overtrapping in the 1800s and early 1900s and the loss of old-growth forests. Fishers have recently been reintroduced in Montana, Oregon, and in total, about about 35 other fisher transfers have been done across the country [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004148971_fishers28m.html]. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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Revision as of 21:00, 28 January 2008
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| Species: | M. pennanti
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| Martes pennanti | |
The fisher is a North American marten, a medium sized mustelid. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the French word fichet, which referred to the pelt of a European polecat. In some regions the fisher is known as a pekan which is derived from its name in the Abenaki language.
The fisher is found from the Sierra Nevada in California to the Appalachians in West Virginia and north to New England (where it is often called a fisher cat), as well as in southern Alaska and across most of Canada. Fishers are present in low density in the Rocky Mountains, where most populations are the result of reintroductions. There is recent evidence, however, that a Montana population persisted in a refugium despite extensive fur trapping in the area during the 1800s and 1900s. Fishers are most often found in coniferous or mixed forests with high, continuous canopy cover. On 27 January, 2008, fishers were reintroduced in the Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers, native to Washington, have not been known to exist anywhere in the state for generations, because of overtrapping in the 1800s and early 1900s and the loss of old-growth forests. Fishers have recently been reintroduced in Montana, Oregon, and in total, about about 35 other fisher transfers have been done across the country [1].
Description
Adults weigh between 2 and 7 kg (12-25 lbs) and are between 65 and 125 cm (27-49 inches) in length. Males are about twice the size of females, with the smallest females having been recorded being as small as 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs), hardly larger than most other martens, and males at as much as 9 kg (20 lbs). Their coats are darkish brown, with a black tail and legs; some individuals have a cream-colored patch on the chest. All four feet have five toes with retractable claws. Because they can rotate their hind paws 180 degrees, they can grasp limbs and climb down trees head first. A circular patch of hair on the central pad of their hind paws marks plantar glands that give off a distinctive odor, which is believed to be used for communication during reproduction. Fishers are also known for one of their calls, which is often said to sound like a child screaming, and can be mistaken for someone in dire need of help.
Hunting and diet
Fishers are solitary hunters. Their primary prey include hares, rabbits, squirrels, mice, shrews, and porcupines. While fishers and mountain lions are the only regular predators of porcupines, the fisher is the only predator to have a specialized killing technique. By repeatedly biting and scratching at the porcupine's face, they cause it to bleed to death. Because most of the porcupine is covered in quills, the fisher then eats the porcupine by flipping the dead animal over.
Fishers are also known to eat ground nesting birds such as grouse and turkeys. Often, young of the year and eggs make easy targets. Also, in some areas fishers can become pests to farmers because they will get into a pen and kill large numbers of chickens. Fishers have also been known to eat small pets left outside, such as stray cats and dogs. While this is rare, when densities are high and food resources are low, animals may become desperate.
Powell, Roger A. (1993). The Fisher : Life History, Ecology, and Behavior. Univ of Minnesota Pr. ISBN 9780816622665. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
Reproduction
Female fishers first breed at one year of age. The fisher breeding season spans late February through late April. There is a ten month delay after breeding before implantation of the blastocyst phase of the embryo occurs, resulting in a one year gestation period. Litters are produced annually. The young are born in dens high up in hollow trees.
Distribution
Fishers are solitary. They do not congregate and only associate with other fishers for mating purposes.
Fisher populations have declined because of loss of forest habitat and, in the past, because of the fur trade. They have the reputation of being shy and secretive, and they are difficult to breed in zoos. They have a tendency to hide deep in wooded areas. In some locales, however, particularly in northeastern North America where forest habitat is recovering near towns, fishers seem to be habituating to human presence and are now seen more readily; there have been reports of them entering suburban areas and scavenging for rubbish, and occasionally attacking domestic animals. In 2005 a Boston Globe article told of fishers attacking cats.[1] A July 4, 2007 article in the New York Times raises the possibility that fishers have turned up in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, causing concern among cat owners. Zoologists are skeptical, suggesting other animals could be responsible, observing that it would be difficult for fishers to migrate into the area.[2]
Fishers were reintroduced in much of North America to control porcupines. Attacks on domestic cats are documented, but zoologists suggest a bobcat, coyote, or dog is more likely to kill domestic cats and chickens.
References
- ^ On the wild side: Once nearly extinct, weasel-like fishers thrive in the suburbs, where their ravenous feeding habits threaten family pets. Keith O'Brian, Boston Globe, 25th August 2005
- ^ A Cat Fight? Sort of, Only Louder and Uglier Kareem Fahim, New York Times, 4th July 2007
External links
- Animal Diversity Web entry by C. Rhines
- "Living with Fisher in Massachusetts". Mass. Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife & Environmental Law Enforcement.
Fisher and Marten are different http://www.predatorconservation.org/predator_info/forest_predators/learn_more/fisherscriptexcerpt.html
