Skip to main content
903 Featured Specimen
American marten

Details

American marten

Martes americana

Size
32–45 cm · 0.5–1.4 kg
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan

American marten is a mammal associated with forests. It is omnivorous and usually solitary. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearctic

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

Its range is represented here by the Nearctic, where it uses forests. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.

Appearance

Typical length 32-45 cm, weight 500 g-1.4 kg. It has a long-bodied carnivore profile, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.

Behavior

It is mostly active at night and usually solitary. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.

Feeding

It is omnivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in forests, so movements often follow available food resources.

Reproduction

As a mammal, it gives birth to live young, and the mother nurses them in cover or within the social group.

Notes

Recorded scientifically as Martes americana. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.