Fisher – 2/27/22

Observer: Faith Berkland

Observation Date: 2/27/22

Observation Time: 5:30 pm

Observation Location: 302 Mansfield St., Sharon

Common Name: Fisher

Scientific Name: Pekania pennanti

Comments: I was on phone with daughter looking into the woods in my back yard. It ran to the left about 10 feet then back to the right then to the left again. We have a huge woodpile and a drainage ditch out there.

Fishers are sometimes referred to as fisher cats, but they do not fish and they are not cats. They are the second largest member of the weasel family in Massachusetts. Among members of the weasel family found in Massachusetts, only otters grow larger.  Males, which are larger than females, can reach 12 pounds in weight and over 3 feet in length.

On 3 September 2015, the scientific name of this animal was changed from: Martes pennanti to: Pekania pennanti.

Click HERE to hear what a fisher’s scream sounds like.

More Information: Mass Audubon