Only subscribers can access printable PDFs and other resources, please login or subscribe.

School subscribers can also access more than 200 downloadable bundles in our store for free (a value of $1,500).

District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Contact Sheri for a quote.

Fisher

Martes pennanti

Range

Fisher are found only in North America.

Habitat

They live in mixed forests (forests that have both evergreens and leafy trees).

Body Traits

They are the largest member of the weasel family. They weigh up to 15 pounds. They have a long, thin body, brown fur, and frosted hairs on their head, neck, and shoulders. They have a long, bushy tail.

Habits

Fishers live alone mostly and are rarely seen by humans.

Diet

They are active day and night feeding mostly on small mammals, birds and some seeds, fruits. They are good climbers and can prey on squirrels high up in the trees. They are the one of the few animals that can prey on porcupines.

Predators

Their main predator is man.

Reproduction

Females are pregnant for almost a full year (gestation), and they have an average of three kits.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They live up to 10 years in the wild. They are listed as Lower Risk – Least Concern.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Mustelinae
Genus: Martes
Species: Martes pennanti

Current Subscribers: To view or print a PDF of this resource and its answer sheets (and link to any other available resources, like coloring, labeling, drawing pages and more), click the brown buttons at the top of this post. Note that these are only available to subscribers.

Not a Subscriber Yet? Join today to unlock these buttons and enjoy all of Exploring Nature’s resources.