Fisher Kitten - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/26/2005 07:29:56 PM · #1

My better half and friend saw this Fisher youngster in a tree yesterday! This is not my picture but is a good shot of a reclusive but very nasty animal when it gets larger! They can kill deer, all rodents and birds! Its in-between a martin and Wolverine in size. The wife said this youngster was no longer that 12 inches head to tail. Watch out squirrels and Porcupines!
Just thought people would be interested to see!
Neil

Message edited by author 2005-05-26 19:33:49.

saracat

Pentax K10D

05/26/2005 08:05:42 PM · #2

Why are the dangerous ones always so cute when they're young?
:)

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Canon

05/26/2005 08:17:48 PM · #3

I Agree Sara; it looks like a cuddly little teddy bear. The adults are said to be lightning fast and they move silently even through leaves and ground cover! They are fast enough even to catch red squirrels!

Message edited by author 2005-05-26 20:22:10.

gusto

Canon EOS-7D

05/26/2005 08:21:39 PM · #4

thats too cool

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

05/26/2005 08:41:47 PM · #5

Originally posted by Dim7:

Indeed they are Neil....and I can assure you that in the area that I live...several people no longer have their pet cats. I no longer let mine out at night for that very reason. He was safe as long as I had my bouvier in the back yard, but now that he is gone, the kitty no longer has anyone to protect him.

Ray

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

05/26/2005 08:45:43 PM · #6

I will also try exra hard to keep Grouch inside!He is fat and slow just like his dad,lol!

Beagleboy

Canon EOS-30D

05/26/2005 09:57:04 PM · #7

What kind of badass fisher kills deer? They probably eat off dead deer carcasses, but I HIGHLY doubt that a 12 lb fisher can take down a live deer.

05/27/2005 06:11:04 PM · #8

They jump from a tree and knaw on the back and neck! The same way Moose is in a Wolverines diet!! Wolverines kill moose even though out-weighed by over a 1000lbs!
I went for a walk in the woods today and there were all kinds of red squirrels running around in a panic. I did not see a fisher but again a friend did! Here is the picture she took. Its missing one eye!

Message edited by author 2005-05-27 18:24:10.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/27/2005 06:29:01 PM · #9

Originally posted by Beagleboy:

What kind of badass fisher kills deer? They probably eat off dead deer carcasses, but I HIGHLY doubt that a 12 lb fisher can take down a live deer.

General Information

The fisher looks like a thin overgrown weasel. The male measures 40 inches long and weighs no more than 20 pounds. The female has 35% less fat and is about 10% shorter than the male, which is covered in fur. The fur is blackish-brown and the fisher has a pale gray spot on its head and shoulders. It has a pale face and very dark feet. The fisher has a long body, short legs, a pointed face, rounded ears, and a bushy tail that weighs about 2 pounds.

From November to March the fisher gets thick, soft fur. Therefore, trappers kill 50,000 to 130,000 of these animals per year. They use the fur for coats, hats, and muffs. The fisher is now protected by law. The fisher is a carnivorous animal. It eats rodents such as mice, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. The fisher is one of the fastest and most aggressive hunters in the North Country. Its name is deceptive because it does not specialize in catching fish, but it does kill deer, sheep, and caribou. It also eats porcupines and can escape from their sharp needles. The fisher also bites into the stomach of the porcupine, and eats what it wants, and then leaves it wherever it kills this animal. The fisher is also known as a black cat, pekan, or wood stock. It is in the Mustelidae family.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

05/27/2005 06:32:22 PM · #10

likely you're seeing it as a result of the injury, and unlikely to make it to adulthood i would guess.

they are a nasty creature.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/27/2005 06:36:18 PM · #11

Your probably right!I was told it was much less active than two siblings seen the day before.

Message edited by author 2005-05-28 09:56:01.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

05/27/2005 06:49:03 PM · #12

i wonder if the siblings are looking out for the injured. and that's how they were spotted.

i think they are mainly nocturnal.

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

05/27/2005 07:15:53 PM · #13

We have lots of these where I live and I have only seen one, but has anyone ever heard one at night??? - it is such an awful, unbelievably loud sound. I am told that they make this horrible screech/scream to frighten their prey into standing still, then they attack. When I first heard it I thought maybe it was wounded bobcat or something! They will attack humans and can and will really hurt you from what I understand. I've been told never to go near one from my neighbors. They also learned the hard way not to let their pet cats out at night.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

05/27/2005 07:51:23 PM · #14

I think a full grown one would be very hard to handle and especially at night! A good dog will kill them but probably not come out unscathed.

woohoopepper

Nikon D70

05/27/2005 08:12:15 PM · #15

Originally posted by BJ:

I am told that they make this horrible screech/scream to frighten their prey into standing still, then they attack. When I first heard it I thought maybe it was wounded bobcat or something! They will attack humans and can and will really hurt you from what I understand. I've been told never to go near one from my neighbors. They also learned the hard way not to let their pet cats out at night.

Whoa! Glad we don't have those here (or maybe we do??? But I've never seen one). I picture myself freezing at its screech and it jumping into my hair. AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! But seriously, I'm afraid of cows, so yeah, I appreciate that I've never encountered that.