Fisher Cat

Fisher Cat Facts

The second largest member of the weasel family is the fisher cat. This creature can be found in the boreal forest in Canada and in the Northern United States.

The name fisher cat, however, isn’t entirely accurate, since it is neither a feline, nor a hunter of fish. Fisher cats are normally dark brown or black and are 32 inches to 40 inches long. Fisher cats have short, stout legs with retractable claws that are used for climbing, and a 12 to 16-inch-long tail. Male fishers are much larger than the females.

The clearing of forests and unregulated trapping practices caused most of the fishers to be extirpated during the 1700s and 1800s by loggers and farmers. However, the fisher cat population began to rebound during the late 1800s as farms were abandoned and land began to become reforested.

Logging companies later began reintroducing fishers into the Northern U.S. during the 1950s, in an effort to reduce the porcupine population. Today, fisher cats can be found only in North America from the Sierra Nevada to the Appalachian mountain ranges including Southern Canada, New England, and New York, as well as scattered across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Mating occurs in the late winter and early spring, usually between the months of March and May. Litters usually consist of three offspring that are born after about one year. Fishers can live up to 10 years in the wild. As predators, these animals will prey on a variety of mammals like mice, porcupines, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and shrews. If these food choices aren’t available, it is not uncommon for the fisher to settle on fruits and berries. These critters are unique in that that they are one of two predators that are great climbers and stretchers when it comes to looking for food, the other being the American marten.

Fisher Cat Damage

In recent years, fishers appear to have grown more accustomed to humans and have decided to make pit stops in suburban areas. They have been known to attack and bite humans or domestic animals that disturb or surprise them. However, these animals are generally shy and prefer to avoid human contact. Typically, if left alone, they are harmless.

Fisher Infestation

You might see fisher cats scampering up the trunks of trees or zipping along across the the ground. Hollow trees, stumps, holes in the ground, brush piles, and other organic matter can serve as temporary housing for these creatures as they are out looking for food during the day and at night. Garbage may be spilt all over as the result of fishers searching for meals.

Although they normally avoid human contact, fishers have been known to prey on house cats and small dogs. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets while roaming the yard, and try to keep small pets indoors during night time, as this is when fishers are most active.

Fisher cats are also potential carriers of ticks, fleas, rabies, and mange. Contact with fishers should be avoided at all times as they can also be extremely aggressive when they feel threatened.

Types of Fisher Cats

Fisher Cat Identification

A fisher cat is a medium-sized mammals that can measure between 25 inches and 50 inches with brown coats and gold or silver hair on their head and shoulders. With long, slender bodies, their legs and tails are both black, and they may have cream-colored patches on their chests. The color of their fur will change from season to season. Fishers have five toes on each of their four feet, and their claws can be retracted, similar to a cat’s.

Sexually dimorphic in size, the males are larger than the females. Males range in size from 35 inches to 47 inches in length and weigh eight to13 pounds, while females are approximately 30 inches to 37 inches in length and weigh about four to six pounds. Fisher cat tails are about 12 inches to 16 inches in length. Known for the high-pitched shriek that sounds like a woman screaming, many believe that this noise is mistaken for a fox. Those who back the claim that fisher cats do indeed make these screams, say the fishers use this as a mating call, as well as a predatory warning.

Fisher Cat Habitat

Fishers prefer forest regions, both coniferous and deciduous. These environments provide them with the ability to climb from tree to tree in search of food, as well as provide them with shelter. Often, they will take up residence in hollowed out trees like spruces, firs, and white cedars. This is because their favored prey are usually found in these same habitats.

Despite being able to climb trees, fishers spend most of their time on the forest floor, and prefer thick forests to other habitats. Found in both softwood and hardwood forests, fisher cats frequent areas of forests with canopies, and tend to avoid areas without coverage. Fishers enjoy a forest floor with fallen trees and woody debris. Heavily logged areas are typically avoided by female fishers, since they need large trees for denning.