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Wild Animals/Fisher Cat
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Question
Johnathan,
We First saw this strange looking creature around 10 am on thursday and then again about 5 pm on the same day and have not seen it again until today at about 7 pm crawling under our shed that is about 5 feet from childrens playground. having lived here for 9 years and never seeing one and reading they are nockternal just wondering about the safety of my children and 30 pound dog. Will they atack either of them. I have pictures also. Thank you in advance for anything you can tell me.
Bud
Dear Bud
Thanks for your question. I have looked at several websites. The one detailed below has the most relevant information for you.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Martes_pennanti.... says that some fishers may be becoming habituated to human presence and entering suburban areas. There have been several reports of fishers making attacks on domestic animals and children. This is because fishers are trying to find food and protect themselves. You should prevent the fisher from gaining access to garbage, pet foods, pets and domestic fowl. When a fisher is startled startled, it may react aggressively to a perceived threat. Diseased individuals may react unpredictably.
It seems that you must take precautions when delaing with fishers. Please cover up any potential food and keep children and livestock away from any fishers you see. Generally speaking, though, if you do not threaten the fisher, you should be safe. It is unusual for a wild animal to deliberately attack a human unless that animal is threatened.
I hope this helps.
All the best
Jonathan
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Answers by Expert:
Jonathan Wright
Expertise
I can answer questions about wild mammals and other animals, as well as extinct animals and zoos. I am not an expert about every animal species. I can look up information from books and the internet, but can't verify if all the information is true. Please don't ask questions about: 1. Pets. I am not a vet. Please contact a vet if your pet is ill. You may need to spend some money if you want your pet to live. Don't get a pet if you don't know how to look after it and if you can't provide it with the space, food and possible companions that will help it live a healthy life. Don't take animals from the wild, unless they are ill and/or injured and you can protect them until a wildlife charity can help. It is cruel to take animals from their parents, especially if the parents will look for the babies, while putting their other babies at risk. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals or you may need a licence to look after some species. Please check with a local wildlife group. 2. Eggs: Please don't remove eggs from nests. The mother birds provide the right temperature for the eggs and won't sit on them if the temperature is warm enough for them to develop naturally. It is illegal to remove eggs of some species and, unless you have an incubator or a broody hen, the egg may not develop. If you are allowed to touch the eggs, you can candle them to see if they are fertile. If theys aren't fertile, they won't hatch. 3. Fights: Please don't ask about fights between different animals. These questions assume that individuals of two species fight each time they meet and that one species will always be victorious over another. This is untrue. There are cases where a live mouse has been fed to a venomous snake, bitten the snake leading to the snake's demise. 4: Diseases: Please ask doctors or other medical experts about diseases that you may catch from animals. I can't advise on how to deal with viruses, bacteria etc.
Experience
I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.
Organizations
WWF. ZSL. Natural History Museum. RSPB. London Bat Group.
Publications
Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group
Education/Credentials
BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' level in Zoology. 'O' Level in Biology.
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