The widespread belief that the fisher, Pekania pennanti, emits a terrifying, blood-curdling scream is a persistent piece of North American folklore. This alleged vocalization, often described as sounding like a woman in distress, has cemented the animal’s reputation as a fearsome and mysterious forest predator. The mystery surrounding the sound is amplified by the fisher’s elusive nature, leading many to attribute any unsettling nighttime shriek to this one animal. Unraveling the truth requires separating this popular myth from the actual biology and behavior of this mustelid species.
Understanding the Fisher: Biology and Range
The fisher is a medium-sized carnivore belonging to the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, martens, and otters. It is a forest-dwelling creature often inaccurately called a “fisher cat,” despite having no relation to the feline family. Physically, the fisher possesses a long, slender body, short legs, and a distinctive dark brown to black coat. Males are significantly larger than females, typically measuring between 35 and 47 inches in length.
This specialized predator is native to the forests of North America, ranging from the boreal forests of Canada down into the northern United States. Fishers prefer large, continuous blocks of mature forest that provide dense overhead cover and abundant den sites. Their diet is diverse, and they are uniquely known as one of the few predators capable of successfully hunting and consuming the North American porcupine.
Actual Fisher Vocalizations and Their Purpose
Contrary to popular myth, fishers do not produce the loud, high-pitched scream frequently attributed to them. Scientific observation reveals that the fisher is generally a quiet and solitary animal. Its vocal repertoire is limited and primarily reserved for close-range interactions rather than long-distance communication.
When fishers do vocalize, the sounds are typically low-key and non-threatening. These include soft chuckles or whines used by a mother communicating with her kits or during mating interactions. In moments of aggression or when feeling threatened, a fisher may emit a hiss or a low growl as a defensive warning.
The fisher’s reproductive cycle involves delayed implantation, with females giving birth to a small litter of kits in the spring. They raise their young alone until late summer, relying on subtle and direct communication. The absence of documented instances of a fisher producing a long, terrifying shriek confirms the animal is not the source of the infamous sound.
The Source of the “Screaming Cat” Myth
The true source of the horrifying, human-like scream mistakenly blamed on the fisher is overwhelmingly the red fox, Vulpes vulpes. The red fox has a wide range of vocalizations, and its loud, eerie wail is its most distinctive and unsettling call. This piercing sound, often described as resembling a woman screaming, is a normal and frequent part of the fox’s communication strategy.
The fox scream is most commonly heard during the winter months, which is the peak of the species’ mating season. Female foxes, known as vixens, use the drawn-out scream to attract males. Male foxes also use a similar sound to warn off rivals and defend their territory.
This intense vocalization, combined with the fact that foxes are largely nocturnal, means the sound is often heard in the dark, amplifying its unsettling effect. The geographical ranges of the red fox and the fisher frequently overlap, creating the opportunity for misidentification. The red fox is consistently identified as the primary culprit for the specific, high-pitched wail mistakenly labeled as the “fisher cat scream.”