13 December 2020
What happens when a red fox starts to chase a fisher?
Fishers (Pekania pennanti or Martes pennanti) are fox-sized members of the weasel family, adept tree-climbers, and opportunistic hunters especially of porcupines. Uncommon in Pennsylvania, fishers disappeared because of over hunting but were reintroduced to northern Pennsylvania in 1994-1998.
Because fishers are scarce, most foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have never seen one and may mistake them for prey. That appears to happen at the start of this interaction, filmed by Becky Rowe in northern PA on 28 November 2020. Then the fox changes his mind.
By the end of their encounter it looks like they’re playing Chase Me. Fox and fisher having fun.
Thank you, Becky Rowe, for sharing this rare encounter.
(fox photo by Mick Thompson on Flickr via Creative Commons license, fisher photo from Wikimedia Commons; video from Becky Rowe on Facebook)
remarkable! thank you Becky Rowe for sharing. We have a neighbourhood fox but I had never seen a fisher. Christmas Blessings.
Oh Mr. Fisher, you are such a tease
https://youtu.be/qtHGJSOuvB4
Fisher vs. Gray fox
Well that was not fun to watch. I didn’t watch the whole thing.
Thanks for the heads-up on the other link Kate, I did not go there. That fisher in your vid is pretty brave! Fun post. Thanks,
Melanie, in the video the fisher was winning — biting and hurting a gray fox. 🙁