Do fishers eat martens?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

Fishers do eat martens. In fact, they are one of the principal predators of martens. Fishers are carnivorous animals and have a diverse diet that includes a variety of prey, including small mammals like martens. They are skilled hunters and have been known to prey upon martens both in the wild and in human-made traps.

Fishers are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any available food source. This includes feeding on moose carcasses or animals caught in traps, such as martens. When a fisher comes across a marten carcass, it will not hesitate to feed on it. They have strong jaws and sharp teeth that enable them to tear through the flesh of their prey.

It is worth mentioning that fishers are not solely scavengers or carrion feeders. They are also active predators and will hunt live martens as well. They have the agility and speed to pursue and capture their prey. Fishers are known for their ability to climb trees, which gives them an advantage when hunting martens that are also skilled climbers.

In addition to martens, fishers also consume a wide variety of other prey. This includes small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and mice, as well as birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They are skilled hunters and adapt their hunting strategies based on the availability and abundance of different prey species in their habitat.

While fishers are primarily carnivorous, they also incorporate plant matter into their diet. Like martens, fishers will eat berries when they are in season. This provides them with additional nutrients and energy. Berries are a valuable food source for fishers, particularly during times when prey may be scarce.

Fishers do eat martens and are one of their main predators. They have a diverse diet that includes a variety of prey, and they are skilled hunters that can capture both live prey and feed on carcasses. Fishers also incorporate plant matter, such as berries, into their diet.