Fishers in the Adirondacks: Fulton County, New York

Fishers are found only in North America. Within the US, they're found from New England to Tennessee, the northern Great Lake states, the northern Rockies, and several small West Coast populations in Oregon and California. They are also known as the 'fisher cat', and are large, dark, long-haired member of the weasel family. Their stature is relatively low to the ground, with short legs, small ears and a well-furred tail. The color of their fur varies from dark brown to nearly black. The males weighing between 7 and 13 pounds, and females between 3 and 7 pounds. Total lengths for males range from 35-47 inches, and females, 30-37 inches. Fishers have large, wide feet with five toes on each foot and semi-retractable claws. This makes them well adapted for walking on snow, climbing trees and grasping and killing prey. They are capable of rotating their hind feet nearly 180º, which allows for a headfirst descent from trees. See a few of these elusive creatures that we were able to capture on film in the Adirondack Mountains!