Fisher Cat: A Solitary Predator In Virginia’s Mountains
The fisher cat (Pekania pennanti) is a medium-sized carnivore native to Virginia’s mountainous regions. With distinctive black fur and bushy tail, the fisher cat exhibits solitary behavior and skilled predatory instincts. Its preferred habitat includes mature forests with an abundance of large trees and the presence of water bodies. As an opportunistic predator, the fisher cat hunts small mammals and birds, playing a vital ecological role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Despite population declines in the past, conservation efforts and reintroductions have contributed to its recovery in Virginia.
