FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



The Fisher is a large Marten and is said to have been so 

 named, in contradistinction to its smaller relative, the Pine 

 Marten, because of its fondness for fish. In appearance it 

 looks like an overgrown black Cat or a black Fox. It is one 

 of the most powerful of the smaller carnivores and one of the 

 most feared members of the Weasel family. 



This animal frequents forests, hunting either in the trees 

 or on the ground, and shows some preference for the neighbor- 

 hood of water or swamps. It is not as aquatic, however, as 

 the Mink. It does not seem to be an abundant mammal 

 anywhere, and with the disappearance of the forests is becom- 

 ing more scarce. In recent years Fisher fur has been in demand 

 and brought such high prices that this animal has been much 

 sought by trappers. 



Different observers have paid tribute to the activity of the 

 Fisher. It is said to be the most active arboreal mammal in 

 North America, able to catch the Pine Marten, and leaping 

 from bough to bough with all the agility of a Squirrel. It is 

 an equally successful hunter on the ground, pursuing prey 

 such as Rabbits, clinging to the trail with persistence until it 

 wears down its victim. It is nocturnal in habit and only 

 rarely moving about by day. 



Like the Wolverine, the Fisher may rob trap-lines and 

 destroy the animals which have been caught. It is wary and 

 difficult to trap itself. It is like the Raccoon when chased by 

 Dogs and trees when the Dogs overtake it. It is a very fierce 

 fighter and dangerous to Dogs. 



It is one of the very few carnivores to prey with impunity 

 upon the Porcupine, which it kills by overturning and attack- 

 ing on the unprotected underside. 



The young number one to five in a litter, but the usual 

 number is three. The young are bom about the first of May 

 and the mother Fisher makes a nest, preferably in a hollow 

 tree at some distance above the ground. 



Genus Mustela^ 



Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, {; Premolars, f ; Molars, | =34. 



^ For a revision of the Weasels see Merriam, North American Fauna, 

 No. II, 1896. 



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