The Fisher. Under the Radar in Many Places.
Often called the fisher cat, it's actually a member of the weasel family. Found in much of Canada and in the northern US, the fisher is a tenacious and opportunistic predator. Contrary to what its name suggests, it doesn't eat fish. Typically it roams the forest floor during twilight and feeds on small mammals - especially porcupines, and sometimes berries. A fierce adversary when cornered by a trapper, the male can reach a length of 2 feet, with 2/3 of his body length taken up by his tail. Due to their hind feet, which can rotate 180 degrees, the fisher is among a very small number of mammals that can climb down a tree head first.. Read more about this fascinating critter.
Photo: Emily Brower