Fisher Cat

[mondhasen]

Or Martes pennanti

We saw a medium-sized Fisher Cat while driving to town Saturday morning at about 6:30 AM. It was crossing the road down by the high school, about 2, 2 1/2 miles from here, taking a path beneath the high tension power lines that I've seen the deer follow over the years. The animal was beautiful, stunning even, with its mostly deep brown coat with lighter front highlights. And it loped along so fluidly, like its otter cousins, that I just had to smile at its majestic countenance: one forgets how vicious these are!

Web photo

I saw what looked like fisher prints in the back yard recently, judging by the size and pattern. I've seen them near the house, never threatening but just wandering through. We had one attack one of the dogs several years ago (to be fair, the dog went after the critter first): The cat took off and the dog came away with just a few stitches required!

Comments

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Cute, yes — reminds me a bit of a Tasmanian Devil.

[mondhasen.livejournal.com]

It definitely has that look about its face.

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Oo, nifty! I've barely seen any mustelids wild. All quite formidable, with the exception of the skunks, who tend to be much less interested in a fight. Maybe they should team up with rabbits. ^_^

[bunny-hugger.livejournal.com]

The skunks got moved into their own family in the 90s (Mephitidae), so perhaps that explains why they don't think they have to prove anything.

[mondhasen.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that! I thought they were still in the mustelid family as well.

Skunks certainly are independent critters, and generally don't bother you if you don't spook or annoy them. I wish our dogs understood that...

[mondhasen.livejournal.com]

I've seen otters hereabouts, rarely though, and fishers.

...with the exception of the skunks, who tend to be much less interested in a fight. Maybe they should team up with rabbits. ^_^

*snicker* That brought to mind a book I had as a child (originally published in 1964):