Is a “fisher cat” a cat or a weasel or something else?
The fisher is a North American marten, a medium-sized mustelid. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the French word fichet, which referred to the pelt of a European polecat. In some regions the fisher is known as a pekan, derived from its name in the Abenaki language. In parts of New England it is often called a fisher cat. The Martens constitute the genus Martes within the subfamily Mustelinae, in family Mustelidae. They are slender, agile animals, adapted to living in taigas, and are found in coniferous and northern deciduous forests across the northern hemisphere. They have bushy tails, and large paws with partially retractile claws. The fur varies from yellowish to dark brown, depending on the species, and, in many cases, is valued by fur trappers. Martens are carnivorous animals related to wolverines, minks and weasel
In the wild, they generally hunt porcupines, and their wedge-shaped snout makes them a perfect predator.
The fisher cat is known for poaching house pets in North America, specifically the New England area. Although it looks harmless, they have a sharp bite and can take down an animal at about 15 lbs which makes small house pets the perfect snack.
