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| The name Fisher has nothing to do with fish or fishing, as they are strictly dry land animals. It is the second largest of the Algonquin Highlands’ weasels. The adult male usually weighs from 3.6 to 5.4 kg, measures 90 to 105 cm. The female weighs from 2 to 2.5 kg and has a total length of 75 to 95 cm. They are most active at night, and can also be active during the day. The Fisher has a large home range, as large as 60 to 100 kilometres long, and 15 km in diameter. They avoid open areas, preferring dense forests of mixed conifers and hardwoods, or second growth stands and swamps. Hollow trees and logs, holes in rocky ledges, old porcupine dens and cavities in the snow are likely den sites. Breeding begins in March or April and a female will produce one litter of 2 to 3 offspring a year. The Fisher is grey-brown to black, and has a few white patches that are not easily seen. Molting causes the spring and summer fur to become lighter in colour and less dense. The ears are short and rounded, and the tail is bushy. They eat rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, insects, reptiles, fish, crayfish and carrion; some berries, seeds and tips of ferns. The Fisher is one of the few animals that will kill a porcupine. It has been discovered that the Fisher accomplishes this feat by dashing in and out, repeatedly biting the face and head of the porcupine until it dies. Any porcupine holed up in a tree den or rock crevice is safe from Fishers, but all others encountered are attacked and eaten. |
(Family Mustelidae)
Martes pennanti
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