fisher

fisher, name of a large North American marten, Martes pennanti. This carnivorous, largely arboreal mammal is found in hardwood forests of Canada, the extreme N United States, and mountain ranges of the W United States. Fishers have dark brown fur shading to black and frosted with white-tipped hairs. Males are over 3 ft (90 cm) long, including the bushy tail, which may reach 15 in. (38 cm), and weigh 6 to 12 lb (1.8–3.6 kg); females weigh about half as much. Active both by night and by day, on the ground and in trees, the fisher makes its den in a hollow tree or a hole in the ground. It feeds on small mammals, birds, carrion, and fruits. Despite its name, it does not catch fish, although it will eat them. It is one of the few animals that eats porcupines, which it attacks by striking at the unprotected underparts. The fisher is not abundant and is difficult to trap; its beautiful fur brings high prices. Once considered threatened with extinction, fishers are now increasing in numbers. They are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Mustelidae.

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fisher

Rare species of marten (Martes pennanti, family Mustelidae) found in northern forests of North America. The fisher is related to weasels and is similarly shaped. It has a bushy tail, tapered muzzle and low, rounded ears. Adults are usually 20–25 in. (50–63 cm) long, excluding the 13–17-in. (33–43-cm) tail, and weigh 3–15 lb (1.4–6.8 kg). Fishers hunt on the ground and in trees, attacking various rodents and other animals; they also eat fruits and sometimes nuts. It has been trapped for its valuable brownish black fur.

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fisher

See phisher.

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Fisher

1. Andrew. 1862--1928, Australian statesman, born in Scotland: prime minister of Australia (1908--09; 1910--13; 1914--15)

2. Saint John. ?1469--1535, English prelate and scholar: executed for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as supreme head of the church. Feast day: June 22

3. John Arbuthnot 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone. 1841--1920, British admiral; First Sea Lord (1904--10; 1914--15); introduced the dreadnought

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fisher [′fish·ər]

(vertebrate zoology)

Martes pennanti.An arboreal, carnivorous mammal of the family Mustelidae; a relatively large weasellike animal with dark fur, found in northern North America.