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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Pine Marten

Pine Marten

The pine marten is a slim, agile animal native to the deciduous and coniferous forests across Central and Northern Europe as well as some parts of Asia. This elusive creature is characterized by a soft, silky fur and long, bushy tail, with the males slightly larger as compared to the female pine martens.

Pine Marten Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Genus Martes
Scientific Name Martes martes
 European Pine Marten

European Pine Marten

Pine Marten Images

Pine Marten Images

Quick Information

Other Names European pine marten, Martre des pins (French), Marta (Spanish)
Size Body length: 21 in (46-54 cm)
Tail length: approximately 10 in (25 cm)
Weight 2-5 lb (0.9-2.2 kg)
Color Chestnut to dark brown; cream or yellow-colored bib
Distribution Western Europe to Western Siberia; from Northern Europe to some parts of Asia in the south; Caucasus and Mediterranean islands like Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, etc. small populations occur in the UK and Republic of Ireland
Habitat Hollow trees, scrub-covered fields, well-wooded areas
Vocalization Grunting and twittering sounds; senses of touch and smell for communication
Lifespan 10 years on average; confined martens may live up to 18 years
Diet Birds, frogs, reptiles, snails, insects, carrion; small mammals like voles and squirrels; sometimes eats nuts, honey, berries, and eggs of birds
Adaptations Semi-retractable claws help in climbing and running on branches of trees; highly sensitive ears for detecting prey; sharp teeth for cutting through meat and flesh
Number of Offspring 2-5 babies
Breeding Season July-August
Gestation Period 28 days (average)
Predators Golden eagles, wolves, wildcats, red foxes
Conservation Status Least Concern
Pine Marten Pet

Pine Marten Pet

Pine Marten Pictures

Pine Marten Pictures

Behavior

Despite being fast movers on the ground, these nocturnal animals primarily lead an arboreal lifestyle. They are solitary creatures, which often use rock crevices, discarded bird nests, and squirrel nests as hideaways. Pine martens are territorial by nature, and so scent-marking of their home range through deposition of “scats” (feces) in specific locations is a common behavioral trait. However, temporary male-female interactions occur during the mating season and when juvenile martens are raised in the nest.

Pine Marten Size

Pine Marten Size

Pine Marten

Pine Marten

Mating and Reproduction

After copulation, an adult female undergoes delayed implantation that generally occurs during February-March. Embryonic development lasts for a month, and then the female pine marten gives birth in either late March or April.

Baby Pine Marten

Baby Pine Marten

Pine Martens

Pine Martens

Life Cycle

At birth, the offspring are deaf, blind, and helpless, weighing only 30 g. They open their eyes at 34-38 days while weaning takes place six weeks after birth. The young pine martens start leaving their dens when they are 7-8 weeks old but become fully independent at 12-16 weeks. Juveniles attain sexual maturity at 14-15 months of age.

White Pine Marten

White Pine Marten

Pine Marten Teeth

Pine Marten Teeth

Interesting Facts

  • The reintroduction of European pine martens in Ireland and the UK is associated with the decline of gray squirrels, a species considered invasive in Europe.
  • American martens are also commonly called “pine martens,” although they are distinct from their Eurasian counterparts.
  • Although they have similar black and twisted scats like foxes, the feces of pine martens can be distinguished by its floral odor.
Pine Marten Skull

Pine Marten Skull

Pine Marten Track

Pine Marten Track

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_pine_marten
  2. https://animalia.bio/pine-marten
  3. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Martes_martes/
  4. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12848/45199169

Published on November 26th 2016 by admin under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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