Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

American Martens are small, rare members of the weasel family that are sometimes called Pine Martens.
Martens move across the ground in a zig-zag fashion, often followed by a series of jumps.

Marten

Scientific Name	Martes americana
Classification	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustilidae
Status	Not at risk, but could be threatened by the loss of dense, mature coniferous forest. The population of Newfoundland is endangered.
Range	Northern North America
Habitat	Coniferous forest
Diet	Mice, snowshoe hares, birds, eggs, fish, insects, berries and nuts
Size	Length: 18-25 inches Height: 6 inches Weight: 1.5-2.8 pounds
Lifespan	8 years.
Location

Special Features

Their fur is soft and thick, varying in color from pale buff or yellow to reddish or dark brown. Two vertical black lines run above their eyes.
During winter fur grows between the pads of their feet to keep them warm and to help them travel in the snow.
The American Martens have been hunted for their winter fur which if often referred to as "American Sable" because it is luxurious.
Somewhat arboreal.
Excellent swimmers.

Social Structure & Behavior

Solitary. Although nocturnal, they will hunt during the day when prey are plentiful. Extremely territorial. Den in hollow trees, crevices and vacant ground burrows.

Reproduction:
Sexual maturity at 15-24 months. Breeding takes place June-August, but fertilization delays until February. The embryos then develop within a month's time. Litter size is 1-5 kits. Weaned after 42 days.