Fisher

Pekania pennanti

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
AMAJF01020
Common Name: 
Fisher
Scientific Name: 
Pekania pennanti
Synonyms: 
Martes pennanti
Naming References: 
W020
R283
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mustelidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

1 year
References: 
B051

Longevity

Maximum 7 years (maximum 10 years in captivity).
References: 
B051

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearer
References: 
B001
Habitat
Climax coniferous forest near water courses, but also into subclimax deciduous groves and old burns; continuous forest.
References: 
B001
B051
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

9% of the NWT. Low numbers but are present in the Liard region based upon both observations and fur records. Little known about this species (H164_05).
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
B113
H164_05

Historical Distribution

24% of the NWT?
References: 
B113

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
Population

Population Size

600-2,400 based on (T*P)*D = T*0.09*(0.005) to T*0.09*(0.02), where T = terrestrial area of the NWT = 1,346,000 sq km, P = proportion covered by the distribution of the species, D = density in numbers per sq km (RSC10). Annual harvest data: 1990s = 30 - 50 (R120); harvest was 27 in 2007/08.
Score: 
CD =
References: 
R120
RSC10

Density

1 per 4 to 200 sq. kms (depending on habitat and prey abundance) (B051); density of 0.005-0.02 per sq km used in population estimate for NWT (RSC10).
Trends

Trends

10 year fluctuations.
References: 
B001
Threats

Threats

Moderately vulnerable to not intrinsically vulnerable.
Score: 
BC =
References: 
H126

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
H126
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
More information needed. Sufficient number of pelts each year to not suggest may be at risk (H112).
S Rank: 
S3?
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted as may be at risk in 2000; modified to sensitive by D. Johnson in 2004 (H112) due to more information. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Powell RA (1982) The Fisher: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior. University of Minnesota Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P6 - B051 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Powell RA (1982) The Fisher: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior. University of Minnesota Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P6 - B051 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Longevity

  • Powell RA (1982) The Fisher: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior. University of Minnesota Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P6 - B051 Return

Naming

  • Nature Serve: An online encyclopedia of life (web application) (2004) Version 4.0 (01 July 2004). Arlington Virginia USA. Association for Biodiversity Information.. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?init=Species - W020 Return
  • Bradley, Robert, D., Loren K. Ammerman, Robert J. Baker, Lisa C. Bradley, Joseph A. Cook, Robert C. Dowler, Clyde Jones, David J. Schmidly, Frederick B. Stangl, Jr., Ronald A. Van Den Bussche, and Bernd Würsig (2014) Natural Science Research Laboratory, Occasional Papers 327 28 pp. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/publications/opapers/ops/OP327.pdf - R283 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return
,
RWED biologists (2004) Forest Criteria & Iindicator Data Submission Forms - input from RWED on wildlife Criteria 1. Copy in Infobase Reference binder - RSC10 Return

Range Extent

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return