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Fisher (Martes pennanti)
Fisher asleep at Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse, New York. Photograph copyright: Kitt Amaritnant - all rights reserved. Used with permission. (view image details)
FISHER FACTS
DescriptionThe Fisher is brown or dark brown with black legs and tail. There is sometimes a cream patch on the chest. The feet have five toes with retractable claws. They are solitary animals and are active by day and night. Other Names Fisher Cat, Black Cat, American Sable Size Length: males 90cm - 120cm; females 75cm - 95cm. Tail length: males 37cm - 41cm; females 31cm - 36cm.Weight: males 3.5kg - 5kg; females 2kg - 2.5kg. Environment coniferous forests, deciduous forests, mixed forests. Prefer areas with tree hollow trees for their dens. Food small-to-medium-sized rodents, rabbits, hares, squirrels, birds, and shrews. Also feed on some fruit and berries, and carrion. Fishers are one of the few animals able to kill Porcupines. They attack the face where there are no quills, and when the animal is weakened roll it over to get at the unprotected underside. Breeding One to six young are born after a gestation period of 11-12 months (average litter is 3). The young are reared in a den - often in a tree hollow. The young are blind and nearly naked at birth, weighing about 40 grams. The eyes open after about 53 days and are weaned after 8 to 10 weeks. Range North America, from the Sierra Nevada of California to the Appalachians of West Virginia and Virginia Classification
Relatives in same Genus American Marten (M. americana) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |