Fisher
| More Animal Resources Mustelids Types of Animals |
Measuring up to three feet in length, including the tail, Fishers (Martes pennanti) are the largest of the two native Martes species.
They inhabit forested areas of the Northwest, Upper Midwest, New England and the Northeast in the United States.
Trapping and habitat loss contributed to population stress and states in both the East and West have adopted captive breeding programs and reintroduction to the wild to rebuild the populations.
As with the other Martes species, Fishers possess a keen tree climbing ability. However, they tend to do most of their hunting on terra firma, where they prey on small mammals and rodents.
© 2010. Patricia A. Michaels