Species

By Bailey Parsons - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26359879

martes americana

The American marten are long, semi-arboroal, slender weasels with large, rounded ears, short limbs and bushy tail. Their long fur ranges from pale buff to tawny to near black. Their heads are typically lighter than their body with a dark tail and legs. They have a throat and chest patch that range from pale yellow to orange. They have sharp, curved claws. 

Range: Native to northern North America from Alaska to northern Canada down to northern California, the Great Lakes, and northern New England.

Habitat: Martens are found in forests with a preference towards mature evergreen forests. They den in hollow trees or ground burrows.

Size: 280-1300 g (9.87 to 45.86 oz); 32-45 cm (12.60 to 17.72 in)

Life Span: 5-10 years in the wild; 12-17 years in captivity

Feeding: Carnivore

Reproduction: Polygynous. Breeding season is from June to August although implantation of the egg is delayed until February with a gestation of 28 days. They give birth to 1-5 kits in late March or early April. They are born blind but develop quickly with their eyes opening at 39 days and weaning occuring at 42 days. They reach full size around 3 and a half months and sexual maturity occurs around 15 months to 2 years.

Conservation Status: Least concern. American pine martens can do well in captivity with suffecient enrichment and habitat variations.

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Full Classification:

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