Classification: Fur Bearing Wildlife Species
Other Names: Black cat, fisher cat, pekan, atchok or oochik, Wejack.
Status: Valued fur animal. Official Montana furbearer managed and protected by regulated fur harvest seasons.
Identifying Characteristics: Long, slender body with a typical weasel shape. A well-furred tail comprises about one-third of the animal's total length. Pointed face, rounded ears, short legs. Fur is usually black on tail, legs, and rump. Fur on head and shoulders may have a grizzled appearance resulting from tri-colored guard hairs. White patches are common around the genital area and in the axillae of the forelegs. Both males and females have paired scent glands which are used for scent-marking territories.
Total length: 23 to 40 inches. Weight: 3 to 12 pounds.
Habitat: Inhabits closed canopy, mature coniferous and deciduous forest. Availability of food is an important habitat component. Large deciduous trees are often used as maternal den sites.
Food Habits: Prey items are animals associated with the coniferous forest. Will also consume carrion and plant materials. Snowshoe hares, mice, squirrels, shrews, and birds are staple foods. Famous for ability to prey on porcupines.
Life History: Active during both day and night. Most hunting takes place on the ground. Most females breed for the first time at 12 months and produce their first litter at 24 months. Breeds during March and April. Produces one litter of about 3 young per year.
Similar Species: Marten - smaller, buffy patch on throat and breast. Wolverine - has yellowish stripes on sides and rump. Red fox - has a white tip on tail.
Fisher are woodland animals, and among the most effective predators on land. They are also the fastest American animal in trees. Females are less than half as big as males, yet command higher fur prices due to an extremely soft and silky fur. Also known in areas as fisher cat, black cat, tree fox or pekan, fisher have been known to follow trap lines, destroying the catches before the trapper arrives. Destruction of woodlands and high fur prices caused population declines up until the 1940's, but protection and reintroduction's have encouraged good fisher populations in many suitable habitat types.