Are fisher cats the same as fishing cats?

No, fisher cats are not even cats. The fishing cat is a small wild cat species that spends a lot of time near water courses and takes aquatic prey animals as well as non-aquatic prey animals.

Below are some details regarding these entirely different species with similar names 😊😎

Image: MikeB. I have presumed that the images are now in the public domain. Wrong? Tell me in a comment please.

Fisher cat

Here are 10 points about the fisher (Pekania pennanti):

Carnivorous Mammal:

• The fisher is a carnivorous mammal native to North America.
• It dwells in forested areas, covering much of the boreal forest in Canada and parts of the northern United States.

Not a Cat:

• Despite the name “fisher cat,” it is not a cat. It belongs to the mustelid family.
• The fisher is closely related to the American marten and Pacific marten.

Monospecific Genus:

• The fisher is the sole species in the genus Pekania.
• It is sometimes called a pekan or wejack in various Native American languages.

Predators and Fur Trade:

• Fishers have few natural predators besides humans.
• They were extensively trapped for their fur, leading to their extirpation from parts of the United States in the early 20th century.

Fur and Appearance:

• Male and female fishers look similar, but males are up to twice as large.
• Their fur varies seasonally, denser and glossier in winter, and more mottled during summer molting.

Hunting Behavior:

• Fishers prefer hunting in dense forests.
• They are agile climbers but spend most of their time on the forest floor.

Scavengers and Encroachment:

• While fishers usually avoid human contact, encroachment into forest habitats has led to conflicts.
• They may scavenge dead animals, especially when hungry.

Historical Decline and Recovery:

• High pelt prices in the 1920s led to unsuccessful attempts at fisher farming.
• Conservation efforts have allowed the species to rebound, but their range remains reduced from historical limits.

Barbed Tongue and Adaptability:

• Fishers are skilled climbers and excellent swimmers.
• Their barbed tongue aids in catching prey.

Resilient and Adaptable:

• The fisher is a resilient and adaptable species, capable of being both a nuisance and a pest controller in various ecosystems.

Fishing cat

Here are 10 points about the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus):

Medium-Sized Wild Cat:

• The fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia.
• It dwells in wetland areas, including rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, swamps, and mangroves.

Distinct Appearance:

• Fishing cats have deep yellowish-grey fur adorned with black lines and spots.
• They are about twice the size of domestic cats, with a stocky and muscular build.

Size and Weight:

• Adults have a head-to-body length ranging from 57 to 78 cm (22 to 31 inches).
• Their tails measure 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 inches).
• Males are larger, weighing 8 to 17 kg (18 to 37 lb), while females average 5 to 9 kg (11 to 20 lb).

Vulnerable Status:

• Since 2016, the fishing cat is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• Populations have declined severely due to wetland destruction.

Nocturnal Behavior:

• Fishing cats are primarily nocturnal, active during the night.
• They are skilled swimmers and can cover long distances underwater.

Diet and Prey:

• Their main prey is fish, which they catch by diving into water.
• They also consume birds, insects, small rodents, mollusks, reptiles (including snakes), and carrion.

State Animal of West Bengal:

• In India, the fishing cat holds the honor of being the state animal of West Bengal.

Threats and Conservation:

• Destruction of wetlands poses a significant threat to fishing cat populations.
• Conservation efforts aim to protect their habitats and raise awareness.

Civet-Like Appearance:

• The scientific name Prionailurus viverrinus reflects its viverrine or civet-like appearance.

Unique Adaptations:

• Fishing cats are excellent swimmers, allowing them to thrive in their wetland habitats.
• Their specialized hunting skills make them fascinating and vital members of their ecosystem.

Remember, the fishing cat’s aquatic lifestyle sets it apart from other wild cats! 🐾🎣

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Fisher Cat Pictures

Fisher Cat - photo by Sayjack (Flickr)

Here are some fisher cat pictures. The fisher cat (commonly called simply "fisher") is not the Asian fishing cat. The fisher cat is not a cat! It is part of the of the Mustelid family, commonly referred to as the weasel family.

Fisher cat picture - Wikipedia Commons

This is an animal that is similar is size to the domestic cat at 3.5 to 5 kilograms (8–11 lb). There was talk on the internet recently about the fisher attacking and eating domestic cats! This seems strange and unlikely. As the fisher's coat is dark the so called sightings may have been a case of mistaken identity as black cats at a distance might look similar.

ROLAND KAYS studied scats (feces) of fishers and concluded that they don't eat cats! They seem to prefer squirrels. Although, fishers are great climbers and could in theory attack and kill a declawed cat. A fully clawed cat would present a real risk of injury to the fisher and predators do not want to get injured as it may result in an inability to catch prey leading to starvation.

Fisher  - photo by forestgladesiwander (Flickr)

Sometime ago I wrote about the sound that the fisher makes. It is a very erie sound indeed, quite scary. You can read about it by clicking on the following link and see another fisher cat picture as well: Fisher Cat Sounds.



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