Observation and DNA confirmation of a fisher (Pekania pennanti) hunting and killing a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

Sean M. Johnson-Bice; Steve K. Windels; Kristine L. Pilgrim

doi:10.1656/045.026.0314

Treesearch

Observation and DNA confirmation of a fisher (Pekania pennanti) hunting and killing a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Sean M. Johnson-Bice, Steve K. Windels, Kristine L. Pilgrim

Year:

2019

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1656/045.026.0314

Source:

Northeastern Naturalist. 26(3): N31-N34.

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Abstract

Pekania pennanti (Fisher) is a generalist mesocarnivore that has been documented to prey on a diversity of mammals, but there have been no previous documented incidents of a Fisher hunting and killing a semi-aquatic mammal. Here, we report a first-hand observation and DNA evidence of a Fisher hunting and killing an Ondatra zibethicus (Muskrat) from inside a beaver lodge along a lakeshore.

Keywords

fisher, Pekania pennanti, mesocarnivore, prey, muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, DNA

Citation

Johnson-Bice, Sean M.; Windels, Steve K.; Pilgrim, Kristine L. 2019. Observation and DNA confirmation of a fisher (Pekania pennanti) hunting and killing a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Northeastern Naturalist. 26(3): N31-N34.