FISHER 

 Fisher. — Martes pennanti 



and related subspecies 



Names. — Fisher; Pekan; Pennant Marten; Black Fox; 

 Blackcat. Plate VII. 



General Description.— A large powerful Marten, much 

 larger and darker, than the Pine Marten but very similar to it 

 in general structure; pelage long and soft. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; seasonal variation not con- 

 spicuous. General tone varying from grayish brown to warm 

 brown, darkest along dorsal region where it may be almost 

 black; nose, feet, and tail blackish; top of head grizzled with 

 gray which extends down neck to shoulders; dark brown on 

 throat, chest, and belly. 



Measurements.— Males larger than females. Alales: total 

 length, 36-38 inches; tail vertebrce, 15 inches; hind foot, 4 

 inches; weight, 8 to 12 pounds or up to about 18 as a maximum; 

 weight of females, about 5 pounds. 



Geographical Distribution.— Northeastern states and Can- 

 ada west through Saskatchewan and British Columbia. 



Food. — Small mammals, birds, frogs, fish, with some fruit 

 and nuts. 



Enemies. — Few in number aside from man. Too agile to 

 be caught by the larger carnivores and said to be able to kill 

 Fox, Raccoon, and Lynx. 



Subspecies of Fisher 



Fisher — Martes pennanti pennanti (Erxleben). 



As described. Found formerly from mountains of Virginia 

 north into Quebec and thence westward, but probably to 

 be found today only in Maine and in forested sections north 

 to 50° m Quebec, west through Saskatchewan as far north 

 as 60° and thence through British Columbia to the Pacific, 

 south along the Rockies to Yellowstone Park. 



Pacific Fisher. — Martes pennanti pacifica (Rhoads). 



"Colors variable, ochraceous, chestnut, blackish, etc., 

 lightest on head and shoulders, darkest on rump, tail and 

 legs; these usually rich brownish, black or quite black; 

 skull large, much constricted interorbitally ; last upper molar 

 large." (Stephens) Total length, males, 42 inches; tail 

 vertebras, 14 mches; hind foot, 4.6 inches. Found from the 

 northern part of California north to British Columbia, in 

 forests. 



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