How does a fisher cat kill a porcupine?

The fisher is weasel-shaped, long and low to the ground, which gives it a clear advantage over the porcupine. It rapidly strikes the face of the porcupine in order to injure its prey. Often, the attack can take over a half an hour until the fisher can inflict a lethal bite.

What cat can kill a porcupine?

Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. Wolves in a pack can do this to porcupines. Once it has been turned over, the game is up.

What animal can kill a fisher cat?

A fisher will eat a cat if the opportunity presents itself, but so will other predators that are common and plentiful in the state, including coyotes.

What will kill a porcupine?

Fishers are a primary predator of porcupines, but quills have been found embedded in coyotes, cougars, bobcats, foxes, lynxes, bears, wolves and even Great Horned Owls. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside.

How do fishers kill porcupines?

Fishers have quick reflexes and a low-slung body—all the makings of a porcupine killer. First, a fisher will circle the animal, nimbly dodging lashes of the heavily quilled tail. Then it will dart in to bite the porcupine’s unquilled face, attacking repeatedly until subdued.

What are the Predators of a porcupine?

The fisher is most adept at killing the porcupine, but other predators include the bobcat, wolf, and coyote. All predators use the same method for attacking; this includes rapid bites to the porcupine’s facial area, followed by biting into the quill-free underside.

Are Fisher Cats dangerous?

Fisher cats are definitely dangerous due to their predatory nature but they are probably made out to be more dangerous than they really are. An interesting thing about Fisher cats is that they are one of the few predators of the porcupine and have developed a method to attack and kill porcupines.

Are Fisher Cats vicious?

While Fisher Cats are ferocious enough to attack house cats and have done that, a lot of what is said about them is folklore and exaggerated. Fisher cats are definitely dangerous due to their predatory nature but they are probably made out to be more dangerous than they really are.