AboutJonathan Wright Expertise I can answer questions about wild mammals, as well as other wild animals. I can also answer questions on extinct animals and zoos.
PLEASE DON'T SEND ME ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PETS. IF YOU ARE REALLY WORRIED, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A VETERINARIAN. PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT UNPAID PEOPLE ON ALLEXPERTS ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY AND WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ADVICE THE MOMENT YOUR ANIMAL GETS ILL. Find out how to look after a pet before you get it. It is unfair to keep an animal in inappropriate conditions and give it the wrong food. If you can't keep an animal in good conditions, please don't bring it into your home. I'm not a vet and I don't have any expertise in animal medicine and care. I don't agree with people taking animals out of the wild and then expecting other people to give free advice on how to look after them. It is cruel to take animals away from their parents, who are able to look after the babies and may look for them, while putting their other babies at risk. You may need a licence to look after some animals. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals; please check with a local wildlife organisation.
IF YOU FIND AN INJURED ANIMAL, PLEASE CONTACT A WILDLIFE VETERINARIAN OR CHARITY AND LET TRAINED STAFF LOOK AFTER THE ANIMAL. DO NOT TRY TO LOOK AFTER AN INJURED ANIMAL IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
Please do not remove eggs from nests. The mother birds will know the right temperature for the eggs and will not 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 (check details on websites) to see if the eggs are fertile. If the eggs are not fertile, they will not hatch.
I do not agree with fights between different animals. Please do not ask me questions about them.
Experience I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two years old. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.
Organizations World Wide Fund for Nature. Zoological Society of London. London Bat Group.
Publications Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group
Education/Credentials BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' levels in Zoology and Chemistry. 'O' Level in Biology.
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
Answer 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.
