Fisher - Species Profile
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description
The fur (pelage) is dark brown to nearly black with white-tipped hairs over the head and shoulders giving it a frosted appearance.
Size
Total length: 29″ to 47″
Head and body: 20″ to 25″
Tail: 13″ to 15″
Sign
Similar Species
Habitat
Deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests with low or closed canopies
Ecology
Behavior
Lifespan
10 years
Life Cycle
Food
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/12/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/12/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Laurasiatheria (Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies)
Order
Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Suborder
Caniformia (Dog-like Carnivores)
Infraorder
Arctoidea
Parvorder
Mustelida
Family
Mustelidae (Mustelids)
Subfamily
Guloninae (Wolverines, Martens, and Tayras)
Genus
Pekania (Fishers)
Subfamily
Recent DNA studies have suggested that the traditional arrangement of family Mustelidae into two subfamilies based on morphological differences is invalid. Under this arrangement, the subfamily Mustelinae is polyphyletic (derived from more than one evolutionary ancestor.) Two molecular phylogenetic analyses in Sato et al (2004) and Koepfli et al (2008) suggest separating the family into eight subfamilies. Under their scheme, martens are placed in the subfamily Martinae. This suggestion has not been widely adopted.
Species
The same study also strongly suggests that the fisher should be placed in its own genus Pekania. This suggestion has been widely but not universally adopted. Fisher was formerly classified as Martes pennanti. It was reclassified as Pekania pennanti, and is now the only species in that genus.
Subordinate Taxa
Some authorities recognize three subspecies, while others recognize none.
British Columbia Fisher (Pekania pennanti columbiana)
Fisher (Pekania pennanti pennanti) 
Pacific Fisher (Pekania pennanti pacifica)
Synonyms
Martes pennanti
Common Names
Fisher
Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
