The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a slender, dark-furred mammal native to North American forests, often mistakenly called a “fisher cat.” It is not a feline, but a member of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, martens, and otters. This forest dweller has gained a reputation in folklore for being fiercely aggressive or “mean.” The animal’s true nature is more complex than this simple label suggests. This article explores the fisher’s actual temperament, its specialized predatory behavior, and common misconceptions contributing to its fierce reputation.
Understanding the Fisher’s Temperament
Fishers are naturally solitary creatures, preferring to live alone except during the brief mating season. They are primarily active around dawn and dusk, a pattern known as crepuscular, though they can be active throughout the day and night. This preference for solitude and activity outside of peak human hours contributes to their elusive nature.
The animal’s default behavior toward people is avoidance; they are generally shy and prefer to keep their distance. Unprovoked attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, usually occurring when the animal felt threatened, cornered, or was protecting its young. Bold behavior is often a learned response to accessible human food sources like uncovered garbage or outdoor pet food.
Specialized Hunting Techniques and Diet
The fisher’s diet is broad, including small mammals, birds, and carrion. They are one of the few animals that successfully prey upon the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), a feat few other predators attempt. This specialized hunting ability is a complex aspect of their behavior.
The porcupine’s defense is a coat of up to 30,000 quills, which shields its back and sides. The fisher has a low-slung, agile body that allows it to exploit the porcupine’s only vulnerability: its face. The fisher’s strategy involves relentless, rapid attacks on the porcupine’s face, circling the prey faster than it can pivot to keep its quilled tail facing the attacker.
These repeated strikes to the unprotected snout eventually incapacitate the porcupine, a process that can take up to 30 minutes. This predatory specialization, where the fisher risks injury for a meal, demonstrates a relentless and formidable hunter. The fierce reputation is a measure of their predatory skill within the ecosystem.
Safe Coexistence and Misconceptions
One persistent misconception is the belief that fishers emit a blood-curdling scream. While fishers do vocalize, their sounds are typically limited to quiet growls, hisses, and chuckle-like grunts, especially when distressed. The loud, shrieking sound often attributed to a fisher is almost always the call of a red fox or a bobcat.
Fishers can prey on small domestic animals, but studies show they are unfairly blamed for many pet disappearances. To safely coexist with fishers, homeowners should secure potential food sources. This involves:
- Bringing small pets indoors at night.
- Securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
- Avoiding feeding pets outside, especially during crepuscular hours.
If a fisher is encountered, it should not be approached or fed, as this encourages the loss of its natural wariness of people. Simple hazing techniques, such as making loud noises or spraying the animal with a water hose, are effective ways to encourage the fisher to leave the area and maintain its natural fear of humans.