Something Fishy

Trivia challenge:

What is the northeast’s most ferocious non-human mammalian predator? 

Right off, you might think of a black bear or a bobcat, our most charismatic fauna. But no, you’ve got to go smaller. Try something in the weasel family, referred to as “mustelids.” 

Mustelids include some of the most agile and cunning mammals in the world, such as otters, martens, and wolverines. 

One native species, the fisher (martes pennanti), has a reputation for being at the top of the weasel heap here in the northeast. Reaching nearly four feet long and up to 13 pounds, fishers commonly prey upon squirrels, frogs, cats, birds, other weasel species, and a myriad of other creatures. 

They have been known to fight each other to the death for territory, mates, and food. One such battle was witnessed and photographed by Otsego County native, Mike Reynolds. 

He describes the brawl as violent and terrifyingly fascinating. “The two fishers rolled and tussled in the deep snow, savagely biting each other, then one grabbed the other by the mid-back area and bit down hard. The other fisher was immediately paralyzed, clearly with a broken back. The victor then sauntered off into the woods. At that moment, I was glad fishers aren’t the size of dogs!”

By David Diaz