Wildlife Quiz - Fisher Cat

The Fisher (Pekania pennanti) exists as a member of the mustelid family. While frequently called Fisher Cat, the Fisher is not in any way related to the feline species. Instead, the Fisher shares many common traits with other mustelids such as; weasels, martens and otters.

The Fisher’s native range includes Canada and the northern United States where it thrives in these regions boreal forests. A crepuscular creature, the fisher prefers to hunt during dusk and dawn. Despite its common name, the Fisher rarely eats fish, instead it spends a majority of its time stalking small mammals, including squirrels, rabbits and its favorite prey the porcupine. The Fisher exits as one of the few animals able to effective dispatch and consume porcupines without becoming injured. 

Male and female fisher share similar features. Both possess long, thin, bodies and a sleek black coloration similar to an oversized mink. Fishers however are much larger than their comparatively diminutive mink cousins, with male averaging around 10 pounds and females averaging 5 pounds. The largest Fisher ever recorded weighed 20 pounds. Retractable claws allow the Fisher with the ability to maneuver well in trees, even possessing the ability to climb down trees head-first a trait shared by very few mammalian species.

The Fisher mating cycle starts with both males and females actively finding mates during March and April. After implantation, the pregnancy is delayed for 10 months until the following February. Female Fishers then give birth to a litter of three or four kits in the early spring. The female nurses and cares for the kits until late summer, when they are 5 months the kits set out on their own to establish new ranges.

Wildlife Quiz Questions:

1. What other animals exist as member of the mustelid family?
2. What is the native range of the Fisher?
3. When does the Fisher prefer to hunt?
4. What pointy creature is the Fisher able to consume without becoming seriously injured?
5. What is the average weight of a male and female Fisher?
6. How much did the heaviest recorded Fisher weigh?
7. When does the Fisher mating cycle start?
8. How many Fisher are birthed in a litter?

Wildlife Quiz Answers:

1. Other animals that exist as member of the mustelid family include; weasels, martens and otters.
2. The Fisher’s native range includes Canada and the northern United States.
3. Crepuscular creatures, the fisher prefers to hunt during dusk and dawn.
4. The Fisher exits as one of the few animals able to effective dispatch and consume porcupines without becoming injured. 
5. The average male Fisher weighs approximately 10 pounds and female Fishers average approximately 5 pounds.
6. The largest Fisher ever recorded weighed 20 pounds.
7. The Fisher mating cycle starts with both males and females actively finding mates during March and April.
8. Female Fishers give birth to a litter of three or four kits in the early spring.