There is a misconception about a fisher cat being recognized as a cat as the name misleads. But in reality, the name fisher cat does not mean it is a cat or a fish eater that eats fish as a meal.
What is a Fisher Cat?
It is one of the types of large weasels. This fisher feline (Pekania pennanti) belongs to a mustelid family. It is found mainly in North America and the Eastern States. They occupied the thick woods and forests. Let’s dive into the world of fisher felines, their physical characteristics, and unique traits.
Physical Characteristics
- Fisher cats are long and large animals as compared to cats
- Male felines are a little bigger than female partners, reaching 47 creeps long and weighing about 37 pounds
- They have smooth and furry bodies with more furs present on the tail
- They possess thick and shiny fur that gives them protection from cold and viruses in winter
- Their color varies and comes in different shades like light brown, dark brown, or black
- They can climb trees, and mountains and walk on snowy regions easily with their large feet which can be rotatable, and sharp paws and explore the forests searching for food and prey
- They walk quickly on the land with their short and strong legs
- They also have an excellent sense of smell that helps them hunt their prey with ease without letting them know
Dietary Habits
- As the name indicates the fisher cat, these felines don’t feed on fish diet
- Rather, they prey on small animals. They love to eat porcupines that are mostly too difficult to kill but if a dead porcupine is available, it serves as more servings of meals to fisher cats
- Rodents like mice and squirrels are not less than a treat to the fisher felines
- As they are carnivores, they also eat different reptiles, amphibians, insects, and dead and decaying animal flesh as well
- If these hosts are not available, the fisher cats also eat plant foods like berries and other fruits
- If they face less prey availability, they can travel for many days and cover 100 miles in search of food and fulfill their appetite
Habitat
- Fisher catsare majorly found inCanada and the north-western United States
- They can also be seen in California, New Britain, and the Eastern States
- They found their shelter in huge, lush green regions and backwoods that provided them a place to hide from danger as well as prey for hunting to fulfill their appetite
- They also climb the rough mountains, trees, and walls after their prey
Relation and Reproduction
- If we put light on the relationship among fisher cats, they prefer to live alone
- They meet with their companions and female partners only in the mating season
- They have an interesting reproductive cycle. They mate during the late winter season and the female partner gets conceived and then gives birth to a healthy baby mostly after 12 months
- The females give birth to young fishers mainly in hollow areas like underground burrows, holes in old trees, cavities inside the rocky mountain, or underground so that the baby can be safe from any external damage or a predator
- Like most mammals, the female fisher cats also take care of their baby, feed them, and make them mature enough to survive alone in the environment and prepare them for their livelihood
Threats to Fisher Cats
- The fisher felines were endangered during the nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries
- As there were fewer forests and woods for them to hide themselves and secondly, they were caught because of their fur, so, they decreased in numbers
- Then environment rebuilding and protection endeavors balanced out their population in some areas like North America
- Till now fisher cats face challenges in finding shelter and food. They may gettrapped and killed by someone to get their fur which is used for various purposes
- Sometimes they may not find any host for hunting due to less accessibility in those areas
- Moreover, they may get diseased due to environmental pollution and contamination that adversely affect their well-being
- In addition, automobile collisions or roadside accidents also play a role in their death and decline in number
- If we talk about diseases, they get a few adverse health conditions. Although, they can be infected with intestinal or gut worms, but show early recovery
Conclusion
The fisher cats is a wonderful animal that is mostly present in wooded areas of North America. They live and flourish in wooden areas where they search for food. However, they are not very friendly with each other and also stay away from human beings. They are lovable and valuable creatures as they play their role in maintaining the ecosystem as well by reducing the rodent population
